A curation by Flavio Scaloni, Gallery Manager at Galerie Lo Scalo - The enduring theme of the Baroque—characterized by dramatic tension, opulent theatricality, intense emotion, and the interplay of light and shadow (chiaroscuro)—offers endless inspiration. It embodies concepts like power, vanity (vanitas), transience, and the sublime. This style's psychological depth and dramatic staging lend themselves perfectly to contemporary reinterpretation.
Since 1950, artists have engaged with the Baroque's dramatic legacy. In photography, Cindy Sherman's work, particularly the History Portraits (late 1980s), directly parodies the dramatic poses and sumptuous costumes of Baroque portraiture, questioning identity and gender roles. In painting, artists like Kehinde Wiley employ Baroque scale and poses for his iconic contemporary portraits, such as his 2008 painting, Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps. The work of Jeff Koons, with its gilded surfaces and bombastic scale, often echoes Baroque excess. These artists adapt the Baroque's grand narrative and emotional intensity to explore modern culture and identity. This selection celebrates the legacy of dramatic staging, rich detail, and powerful emotion in global contemporary art.
19 Artworks
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