Saturno 2018

Curator: Roberto Ferri’s “Saturno,” an oil painting completed in 2018, strikes a rather somber tone, doesn’t it? What are your first impressions? Editor: Absolutely. The dramatic lighting casts this imposing figure in a pensive, almost melancholic mood. He's aged, burdened… what is he contemplating? It almost feels as though he is in mourning. Curator: Indeed. The artist’s masterful use of chiaroscuro draws the eye immediately to the figure’s face, particularly the deep furrows etched across his forehead. The way the light illuminates the silvery white of his beard creates a strong contrast against the tenebrous background. Editor: Considering the title, "Saturno," this is clearly meant to evoke the myth of Saturn devouring his children, which carries incredible political weight, in a patriarchal society where legacy is of the utmost importance. It suggests not only remorse but also a kind of societal critique. Curator: One could certainly make that connection, considering the cyclical nature of power and generational conflict. Ferri is clearly borrowing from academic traditions, harkening back to a realism evocative of the Baroque. Editor: Yes, his style does echo Baroque masters, but I also see echoes of trauma. Perhaps he’s engaging with contemporary discussions about the weight of inherited power, generational guilt, and the destructive nature of unchecked authority? Curator: Or, it might simply be exploring universal themes of mortality, loss, and the inevitable decay of the physical form. Perhaps Ferri is aiming for timelessness rather than a specific sociopolitical critique? Editor: Even in apparent timelessness, art remains a cultural product. What we deem universal is almost always historically contingent. His technique points to careful, skilled rendering, reminiscent of art traditions and societal mores of the Italian Masters and those of contemporary times. Curator: Regardless of interpretive frames, the artistry lies in how the artist melds the play of light and shadow, line and texture, to evoke such powerful emotion through very painterly brushstrokes. Editor: An evocative piece indeed, one that stirs reflections on power, responsibility, and the passage of time through this figure and the darkness encompassing him. Curator: I find myself drawn into how he utilizes form to express something so powerful.