The reading room (2021) Painting by Federico Cortese

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Seller Federico Cortese

Fine art paper, 8x12 in
  • Original Artwork (One Of A Kind) Painting, Oil on Paper
  • Dimensions Height 15.8in, Width 23.6in
  • Artwork's condition The artwork is in perfect condition
  • Framing This artwork is not framed
  • Categories Paintings under $1,000 Expressionism Everyday Life
An original piece from the series “The reading room”, oil on thick paper. 60 x 40 cm. Original sold. In the reading rooms I wanted to represent a very simple idea, namely how much the content of a book can acquire reality for those who are reading it, becoming as present as the true reality. For this reason the rooms have a view towards[...]
An original piece from the series “The reading room”, oil on thick paper. 60 x 40 cm. Original sold.

In the reading rooms I wanted to represent a very simple idea, namely how much the content of a book can acquire reality for those who are reading it, becoming as present as the true reality. For this reason the rooms have a view towards the outside and the concrete world. Only by painting them, I realized that those windows are not an opening, the external landscape does not count at all, and the room is a refuge. The reader is somehow protected from the outside world as in a shelter, and his reality is only inside the book.

Related themes

RoomInteriorFloorWindowWindows

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Federico Cortese is a contemporary Italian painter. His artistic passion is deeply rooted in these preferred mediums, showcasing his talent for oil paint on both paper and canvas,[...]

Federico Cortese is a contemporary Italian painter. His artistic passion is deeply rooted in these preferred mediums, showcasing his talent for oil paint on both paper and canvas, as well as his expertise in graphite drawing. Cortese's creative process is characterized by the gradual accumulation of successive layers, each layer adding a new dimension while simultaneously concealing elements of the underlying surface. Within his artistic exploration, he has consistently gravitated towards the realm of order and classification, drawn, perhaps, from an inherent sense of insecurity. For him, the act of imposing structure on chaos offers a sense of solace.

His artistic journey can be likened to a game of discovery, where the initial step involves identifying a subject ripe for variation. The essence of this game lies in uncovering the rules that govern potential transformations - an endeavor akin to deciphering a new language, complete with its unique syntax, grammar, and exceptions.

In line with these principles, the subjects of Cortese's artistic research span a wide spectrum, encompassing diverse themes such as butterfly collections, herbaria, ancient bestiaries, anatomy manuals, maps, human faces, hands, pornography, and flags. Each subject represents a distinct language, complete with its own vocabulary. Cortese's creative pursuit centers on isolating and reinventing these linguistic elements, with the aim of generating fresh and innovative meanings within the realm of art.

See more from Federico Cortese

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