Riccardo Magatti - Le mie città di notte

Riccardo Magatti
Original artwork created with acrylics, watercolors, markers, and ink, measuring 35x50cm, ready to be framed.
Certificate of authenticity signed directly by the artist and stamped by the Spazio Eventi art gallery. It will be carefully packed and shipped via Mail Boxes courier, with tracking.

Biography
Riccardo Magatti is a highly prominent artist, recognized for his unique and distinctive approach to contemporary art. His career has developed through a series of significant exhibitions, both nationally and internationally, which have highlighted his talent and creativity. His works have been displayed in prestigious museums, art fairs, and galleries, receiving the appreciation of critics and collectors.
Magatti has managed to capture the attention of the public and industry experts with works characterized by their originality and expressive depth. His presence in contemporary art yearbooks and specialized magazines testifies to the importance of his contribution to the current artistic landscape. His works are housed in private and public collections around the world, confirming his status as a successful and sought-after artist.
The ongoing evolution of his style and techniques makes Riccardo Magatti a point of reference in the world of contemporary art, capable of inspiring and surprising the audience with each new creation.


An impending nature, depicted with stars, mountains, and surreal-sized clouds, communicates the grandeur of the only aspect of reality that human beings, rendered in Magatti's characteristic illustrative style, cannot directly intervene in. We see it therefore struggle and build its own reality within cities of its own making. If the pictorial rendering of the elements conveys an ontological separation between man and nature, the vivid colors nullify the sense of unease, suggesting humanity's ability to shape its daily life and make it rich with meaning.

The depiction of the naturalistic component occupies three-quarters of the work, suggesting the grandeur and ineffability with which the human being inevitably encounters this relationship, almost sublimating it. In Magatti's work, this is expressed through the portrayal of the man in contemplation of the natural phenomenon: a moon? A sunset illuminating and coloring the vast expanse of the sea? The characters, with their backs to the viewer, are on the rooftops, facing this spectacle, and before this work, we ourselves become spectators.
A work that presents a familiar image to those who have grown up in or live in a seaside city. Everyday life is accompanied by the light reflecting on the waters of the sea, marking the phases of the day with its colors. Magatti, in his work, tells, in his imaginative style, the tension that drives the human being to turn, whenever possible, their gaze towards the vast expanse of the sea.
Sometimes, in a broader view, Magatti's works reduce the distance that, in a modern sense, separates humans from the natural element, and with typical dreamlike tricks, depict the unceasing and inexhaustible bond between the two. We are no longer just spectators but interact with the environment from which we come and in which we live. In his style, rooted in illustrative tradition, he nurtures the imagination of both adults and children: a ladder in the middle of the sea allows us to reach those stars that, without imagination, we can only observe from afar.
Cecilia Borrelli

Riccardo, born in Como in 1971, embarked on an artistic journey that dates back about 20 years, inspired by a trip to Barcelona. There, visiting museums dedicated to Salvador Dalí, he was fascinated not only by his painting but by the entire creative universe of the Catalan artist. This encounter sparked a deep reflection in him: 'He told the dreams of others, and I wondered... why not tell my own?'
According to Riccardo, art is a barrier-free means of communication through which he can express his fears, joys, pains, and emotions. His artistic project began about two decades ago when he faced his fear of large cities, perceived as gray and cold places. Since then, he has decided to take ownership of these spaces, transforming the black and white of his vision into a vibrant palette of colors.
The city, in all its manifestations, is the focal point of his work. Riccardo explores it without limits, expressing a strong sense of freedom that he manages to convey through his art. His vision is of a better world, rich in colors, positivity, and hope. His works invite viewers to walk among the skyscrapers, discovering the interactions and relationships that intertwine within these urban 'containers,' which often appear anonymous.
Riccardo's creative illumination occurred during his visit to the Salvador Dalí Museum, where he understood that the artist's genius lay in his ability to transform his dreams into painting. From that moment, he decided to follow this very path, adapting it to his sensitivity and his unique view of the world.
In this way, Riccardo not only pays homage to Dalí but also makes his dream a vivid and colorful reality, capable of touching the hearts and souls of those who observe his works.
Riccardo Trae draws inspiration from everyday elements and his personal experience to create his works. His cities, although they may appear chaotic and disorganized at first glance, are actually the result of an intimate and reflective creative process. Every house, every detail he adds is a small part of his personal evolution, expressed through art.
The use of various mediums, such as pencils, markers, inks, and acrylic colors, reflects a versatile approach, allowing him to explore different techniques and styles. The idea of building the cities 'piece by piece' without a predefined plan contributes to making his works authentic, almost as if each sheet were a map of a personal journey in continuous evolution.
The reference to the Settimana Enigmistica, and in particular to the small towns depicted there, adds a sense of lightness and everyday life to his work. This connection suggests that Riccardo's art starts from common elements, then transforms them into something completely new and stimulating.
The recurring presence of the cat in his works could symbolize a constant and reassuring element in his artistic journey, a distinctive sign that makes each city recognizable.
Finally, his statement of wanting to continue doing this for his entire life indicates a deep passion and dedication to his art. His cities are not just graphic representations but a reflection of current society, with its stories, challenges, and beauties. In this way, Riccardo manages to capture not only the aesthetics but also the essence of human life, transforming his works into an invitation to observe and reflect.
The first city was in black and white, made up of 3D cubes, without even windows, all very stylized; even nature was absent. The artist wanted to depict what all people experience, a world in which everyone could find themselves. Then, characters begin to appear, initially a bit isolated but later interacting with each other; they are in pairs, looking out from balconies, walking on a rope from one window to another, observing the world from the roof of a house. It is a fantastic, imaginary world.
The storytelling continues to take shape as the characters move through the landscape. Each figure, though stylized and lacking details, emanates universal emotions: joy, loneliness, connection. Bright colors gradually begin to emerge from black and white, as if interactions make the world richer and deeper.
In this imaginary universe, the artist manages to capture the essence of life: solitude can turn into connection, silence into melodies, and every person, even if initially isolated, finds their place in a harmonious whole. The message is clear: the beauty of life lies in the relationships we build and the shared experiences. And so, the city, once lifeless, becomes a stage of stories, interactions, and colors. A place where everyone can find themselves and feel part of something greater.

An artist known for their works depicting imaginary cities inhabited by small characters. These characters, often characterized by peculiar and unique traits, interact with each other in ways that tell stories of everyday life, emotions, and human relationships.
In his works, the city becomes a microcosm reflecting social dynamics and human interactions. The scenes can range from moments of joy and conviviality to situations of reflection and solitude.
Over time, the characters begin to explore not only their environment but also their own emotions. Every encounter, every shared glance, turns into an experience that enriches the surrounding landscape. The cubes, initially rigid and lifeless, start to change: they bend, overlap, and are colored with different shades, reflecting the complexity of human bonds.

Scenes are often animated by a sense of wonder and discovery, with characters exploring new spaces, climbing or resting, paired up, leaning out from balconies, walking on a rope from one window to another, or observing the world from the roof of a house.
Each illustration tells a story, inviting the viewer to imagine the life that unfolds in these fantastic worlds, where the fusion of different cultures gives rise to a new reality.
These small inhabitants seem to interact with their environment in unique ways, using architectural structures not only as a backdrop but also as an integral part of their daily lives.