Memento mori

Maurizio Bottoni (b. 1950)
20th Century, Tempera on panel

This work is characterised by a long inscription on a scroll, which underscores the meaning that the author wants to give this gruesome painting, although it makes reference to a positive message: figurative painting, repeatedly given up for extinction, is always resurrected. The artist's hyper-realist still lifes display an acute realism and a poetic temperament, which are rare in contemporary art. They assert themselves with powerful silence in a world where much seems to be vehemently shouted. Bottoni studied at Brera, and a meeting with Giorgio de Chirico was of prime importance to him; he soon chose to proceed independently, as an autodidact, studying the masters and traditional techniques; he prepares his own tempera and oil paints that he uses on canvas, board, or parchment and also produces etchings and engravings.