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.
