Table (Tripod) 1935 - 1942

Michael Riccitelli made this painting of a 'Table (Tripod)' with gentle strokes of diluted paint. The table emerges through the layering of thin washes, each one adding depth and form to the image. I wonder how long Riccitelli spent staring at this table, really looking at it, before even picking up a brush. I like to imagine the quiet focus as they captured the subtle nuances of light and shadow, and how the artist made the conscious decision to leave parts of the composition untouched, allowing the ground to breathe. It’s a simple subject, but it invites you to consider ordinary objects. The light touch reminds me of the still lifes of Giorgio Morandi, with a similar meditation on form and light. A painting like this asks us to slow down, to appreciate the beauty in the everyday, and to see the world with fresh eyes.