Marco Mattiuzzi

During the 19th century, a genre of painting vigorously established itself, choosing scenes from everyday life as its subjects. These paintings, like vivid windows into the past, can sometimes appear overly sweet, almost cloying when viewed with a contemporary aesthetic sense, portraying an idealized society, trapped in roles that seemed eternal and unchangeable at the time.It is challenging to fully immerse oneself in the emotions that motivated the purchase of these works, which were not intended to exalt either the Church or a now declining aristocracy. Their buyers were the emerging bourgeoisie: professionals, merchants, industrialists, all eager to reflect their…

Prelude: The Allure of Greek Myths in ArtIn the collective imagination, Greek myths stand as pillars of artistic inspiration. Rich in symbolism and archetypes, they provide a vivid canvas on which artists from every era have painted their world views. The myth of Hyacinthus and Apollo, in particular, emerges as an emotional fresco intertwining love, tragedy, and the changing nature of human existence.The Tragedy of Hyacinthus: A Tale of Love and JealousyIn Ovid's narrative, Apollo's love for the young Hyacinthus is marked by a heart-wrenching intensity. However, this love is not without danger: the jealousy of Zephyrus, the wind god,…

Within the ancient embrace of walls safeguarding the ARCA, located in the heart of the Church of San Marco in Vercelli, the exhibition "The Wood That Sings" is celebrated, a heartfelt homage to the distinguished Maestro Angelo Gilardino. It is a place where guitar strings intertwine with the threads of memory, where music becomes color, history, life. Among the displayed works, "The Ploughing" by Luigi Steffani is not just a painting, but a narrative, a seed planted in the canvas that sprouts through the centuries.Luigi Steffani, an artist with a Lombard heart and European spirit, left his studies to give…

Caravaggio: Madonna dei Parafrenieri In the vibrant Rome of the seventeenth century, where art and religion intertwine in a dance of power and passion, Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, prepares to paint a work destined to shake the very foundations of convention: the Madonna dei Parafrenieri. Commissioned by the Archconfraternity of the Papal Grooms, this canvas is intended to replace the image of Saint Anne in their chapel.Caravaggio's choice falls on the figure of Maddalena Antognetti, known as Lena, a woman of earthly charm and sensuality, a friend and model of the painter. In her, Caravaggio sees the perfect incarnation…

On that cold March morning in 2017, as the streets of Milan slowly awakened under a leaden sky, I found myself enveloped in an atmosphere of intimate reflection at the Modern Art Gallery. The exhibition "100 Years of Milan Sculpture 1815-1915" was a journey through time, a tribute to sculpture that captured the essence of art in every form, from marble to bronze, from wood to plaster. The statues, some famous, others less known, seemed to converse among themselves, each telling its unique story.Among these, one in particular struck me: "The First Bath at the Lido" by Quintilio Corbellini, a…

Caravaggio: Crocifissione di sant’Andrea Lesser-Known Masterpiece by CaravaggioMichelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a name that resonates in the art world with the force of a lightning bolt, has left a legacy of masterpieces that continue to amaze and inspire. Among his works, some have received less recognition, but are no less extraordinary. The "Crucifixion of Saint Andrew" (1591-1610) is an example of these hidden gems. This wonderful painting, though lesser-known, rivals in style and execution with the Master's more famous works.Caravaggio is renowned for his innovative use of light, an element that has significantly influenced modern photography. The term "Caravaggio Light"…