This two dimensional, representational painting by Fortunato Depero employs dark colors in negative space to accentuate and isolate the figures in the center of the work. There is an overwhelming presence of warm color with light accenting of cool blues, as well as angular lines ascending upward. The opposing circles on the left and right consisting of complementary colors seemingly are mediated or could have possibly ushered in the smaller circle nestled on the crown of what are strange buildings. These circles could possibly be light sources or suns. The suns disperse shadows that are seen on the sides of the buildings, providing value. This looks to be a representation of a typical city shrouded in darkness, which could possibly speak to a corrupt political overtone. The suns could be attempting to drive out the darkness and reveal what appears to be a vibrant and lively city. Depero painted "Skyscrapers and Tunnels" in New York in 1930, this may be his interpretation of the city.
What you wrote about this painting is fantastic! (but why only 165 words????)
ReplyDeleteVery good observations, but be careful with the word representational- which suggests the way things look in the "real" world- this has elements of distortion, so it leans more into abstraction.