“ROSSO” acrylic on 3 original Russian banknotes of 1898, 268 x 148 mm
CLOSE-UP ON AN ARTWORK BY ANTONIO NATALE
Painted in 2012, “ROSSO”, the emblem of Antonio Natale Contemporary Artist, has often been the subject of much admiration while raising many questions amongst the fans of Antonio Natale’s artwork.
It portrays a beautiful woman in the splendor of her grace, caught in the tornado of her red hair. Her red lips seem to pop out of the painting in this vulnerable pose, facing to her side and with her eyes closed, as though she is inviting her lover to join her. It is a particularly sensuous painting that bewilders at one glance.
The primary color – Red – used by the artist in this painting is synonymous of « Passion ». The round shapes and brush strokes that create a movement of engulfment and voluptuousness accentuate its predominance. Looking closely at the painting, one will notice that her skin is in transparence of the banknotes underneath, which constitutes the shades and accents of the painting. Antonio Natale uses his unique style and technics to create a three dimensional image ready to pop to life, which has earned him the title of the « Instigator of the « Mediterranean Pop Art » » by the famous Master and Art Critic, Guido Pensato, being very different from the American Pop Art movement of the 1950’s.
The main focus of the painting remains the red lips at the center of the tornado, suggesting the calm and serenity in the promise of a kiss, as in the eye of the storm, before we are swept away by the turbulent and potent power of love. Although « ROSSO » represents « Passion » which is one of the female most delightful attributes, she also portrays the « Strength » and « Power » of women under their aspect of pureness and fragility which, like an expanding tornado, reminds us of the combative, as well as the dangerous side of the female gender. Here, Antonio Natale plays with two layers of meaning that strike the viewer. To underline this ambiguity, the artist has played with the patterns of the banknotes on her skin as though she were tattooed, showing the suffering and tribulations of his subject, and has covered her eyes with a semi-transparent red mask.
This painting is the artist’s ode to women in general, referring to his understanding of their condition as well as the respect and profound love for their gender. Painted on 3 original Russian banknotes of 1898, this is also a tribute to the Russian women of the end of the 19th century in particular, and their struggle to escape the violence of the family and to gain their independence.
« ROSSO » is part of a private collection. To view it, please contact us at +41 (079) 502 5033 or through our website at www.antonionataleartist.com.