Succubus 2014

Roberto Ferri painted this Succubus in oil, using a muted palette that somehow makes the red of the blood stand out even more. It’s interesting to see a contemporary artist engaging with such classical themes. Look at the texture of the wings. The paint is smooth and blended, almost like a photograph, yet the wings are clearly not real. They are more like props in a staged scene, casting her simultaneously as vulnerable and powerful. Notice how the red blood trickles down, a stark contrast to the creamy skin. It's a bold move, turning the expected sensuality on its head. There’s a skull at her knees, maybe a nod to the vanitas tradition, but then it sprouts little vines, so it’s like death is also birthing something new. I can't help but think of Caravaggio, another artist who wasn't afraid to mix beauty with the macabre. Ultimately, this is what art does, it takes the familiar and twists it, and asks us to look again.