Offered by:
Arco Gallery
579 Broadway, 5A
New York City, NY 10012 , United States
Call Seller
212.226.1207
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Struggle of Color and Matter - Abstract Expressionist Painting, Purple, Yellow
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Description
In Certamen Coloris et Materiae (“The Contest of Color and Material”), Ruggero Vanni captures a vivid dance of colors and textures that seem to pulse with life. Swirling strokes of rich purples, vibrant golds, deep greens, and turquoise blues converge in an intricate choreography that evokes the fluidity of wind or water in motion. The interplay of these hues against subtle earthy undertones creates a mesmerizing sense of movement, as if nature’s elemental forces are colliding and harmonizing simultaneously.
The painting’s richly textured surface, built with thick, layered pigments, invites both visual and tactile exploration. The dynamic patterns suggest an organic energy, reminiscent of cascading foliage or swirling currents. Vanni’s mastery lies in his ability to translate the essence of natural chaos into an elegant and balanced abstraction, capturing the transformative power of nature while maintaining a sophisticated aesthetic.
Compared to other works in his oeuvre, this piece exemplifies the artist’s unique ability to blend bold, luminous colors with an almost sculptural materiality. The title reflects the dialogue between form and pigment, where the act of painting itself becomes a "contest" of creative forces. This artwork is an exceptional centerpiece for spaces seeking a bold yet harmonious statement that bridges the organic and the abstract.
Growing up in Rome and now based in New York, Vanni's work beautifully captures the transition from classicism to contemporary art, emphasizing the importance of color and light in his visual practice, with each stroke and hue intricately weaving a visual narrative that captivates the viewer. Whereas Vanni's older paintings are more rigid in their spatial construction and clearly marked by references to classical masters like 18th-century painter Gian Battista Tiepolo, Vanni has evolved through the years towards freedom of gestural expression. This painting is part of his most recent works, where he achieved a balance between these different aspects of his practice, creating canvases where "classical" compositions are born from instinctive thick brush strokes that are first cut out and then carefully reassembled one by one on the surface of the canvas.
Whereas the expressionist nature of Vanni's brush strokes anchors him in a contemporary context referencing American Abstract Expressionism, the classicist roots of his pictorial practice remain evident in his concept that painting is an extension of architecture, intended not only to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the surroundings but also to create a unique and immersive experience for all who interact with the space.
Vanni's work is figurative in that it depicts a three-dimensional space, but it is also non-representational, avoiding any form that could be clearly recognizable. His paintings allude, in Vanni's words, "to natural phenomena, in a raw state, devoid of the limiting constrictions of literal representation. Nature is there as a landscape, a view looking up in the air or plunging down underwater. Imagery is kept on the edge of recognition, so the final association is created in the mind".
Ruggero Vanni was born in 1958 Paris, France, and lives and works in New York.
Private collections include the Pinacoteca of Aosta, Italy; Irving Cancer Center, Columbia University, NY; Yale Eye Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT. - More Information
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Message from Seller:
Arco Gallery, founded in 2013 by Valentina Puccioni, offers a truly personalized art experience in the heart of SoHo, NYC. Located in a historic loft and open by appointment only, the gallery provides exclusive, intimate viewings, away from the mainstream gallery scene. P: 212.226.1207 E: valentina@arcogallery.com
