This sculpture is part of Pinuccio Sciola’s wooden production between the years 1964- 1967, fundamental for his artistic formation rich in teachings, from which his enthusiasm for Michelangelo’s plastic lesson and an acute sensibility for form, projected towards masters of the Italian 20th century sculpture tradition such as Arturo Martini, Marino Marini and Giacomo Manzù, are evident. Pinuccio Sciola’s figures of the 1960s are, therefore, rich in results that hark back to the archaism of Italian culture, substantiated by a more authentic popular, sentimental and realistic dimension. That in wood is a sorrowful and disturbing sculpture that is realized in persuasive and unequivocal images; the logs worked by Pinuccio Sciola are transformed, thus, with a few quick cuts into figures, into living beings full of palpitating humanity and intense drama.
The portraits executed in wood are icons of family members and people from his homeland, the result of a need aimed at human and social reality, while the manners are inspired by a primitive simplification. The portrait under consideration is a sculpture that is characterized by the energetic imprint that Pinuccio Sciola manages to imprint with his hammer and chisel, not overpowering the material and exalting all the properties and characteristics of the striations of the wood. A plastic that stands out for its contained strength, natural form and the intensity of life it emanates. The firm, stern gaze, the concentration of the face, and the energetic cut of the profile help give the sculpture considerable prominence. The work belongs to the private collection of Pinuccio Sciola’s heirs.
This particular sculpture is made of dark, very elegant solid wood, showing two busts of a man and a woman, presumably lovers, where we see the male figure intent as if to embrace the woman from behind, while leaning his face against her shoulder blades. His face shows him with his eyes closed, in the act of enjoying that moment until his last breath. The woman on the other hand is depicted with her face relaxed and serene, with a mischievous and loving smile, her eyes closed to enjoy the sensual touch of her lover.
This sculpture is something very rare and wonderful for a gallery house that loves taste and art.
By the artist from San Sperate, who died prematurely in 2016, a wooden sculpture representing a male portrait, made between 1964 and 1967, and the famous sound stones are exhibited in the ‘Masters of the 20th century’ section.
Dimensions:
Height: 38 cm (14.96 in.)
Width: 44 cm (17.32 in.)
Depth: 27 cm (10.62 in.)
Conditions:
The sculpture is in good and original period condition, has slight scratches and light wear consistent with time and use.
