Returning home 

Painted by Pasquale Celommi, this artwork depicts a woman adorned with coral jewelry, a symbol resonating with themes of protection, healing, and vitality throughout history. The rosy hue of coral, reminiscent of dawn, links her to the ancient concept of Aurora, the goddess of morning, signaling new beginnings. Consider the ‘Venus Pudica’ pose adopted in classical antiquity, where figures often modestly conceal parts of their bodies with their hands. Here, she clutches the shawl in her hands, adding a layer of modesty, connecting this figure to an enduring visual vocabulary. The act of wearing coral transcends mere adornment. It’s a practice steeped in ancient belief, echoing through the corridors of time. Like a talisman, coral was believed to ward off evil, embodying a desire for safety and well-being, a timeless echo of human hope. We see how symbols are reborn across different eras, adapting, yet forever retaining a whisper of their initial power.