Marco Ercoli - Estasi
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Selected by Egidio Emiliano Bianco
Holds a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in arts and cultural management.
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Marco Ercoli, Estasi, oil on canvas, 65 × 50 cm, 2022, original edition, signed by hand, in excellent condition, Italy, sold directly by the artist.
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Description from the seller
Title: Ecstasy
Technique: oil on canvas,
Dimensions: 65 × 50 cm
Year: 2022
In Ecstasy, the golden bust of Caligula appears as an idol immersed in dark and lush vegetation. The figure emerges facing front, still, almost hieratic, while around him the painting matter seems to liquefy into yellow and amber drips, resembling honey. This substance envelops the face and body like a second skin: seductive, precious, but also viscous and unsettling.
The work reflects on the desire to deify the emperor, on his will to rise beyond human measure and to identify himself with an absolute, almost solar, presence. Yet the image does not celebrate a pacified glory: it transforms him into an ambiguous vision, suspended between apotheosis and decomposition. The closed, stern face, with blind eyes or eyes looking inward, seems to belong more to a relic than to a living man.
The honey dripping on the gilded busts becomes a symbol of seduction and corruption together. It evokes gold, worship, offering, the sweetness of power; but at the same time it suggests an excess that traps, suffocates, consumes. The vegetation, instead of being mere ornament, appears as a nocturnal force that surrounds and besieges the idol, turning the scene into a mental and sacred jungle.
Ecstasy is an intense and visionary work, built on the contrast between splendor and darkness, attraction and unease, sacredness and vice. Caligula is not depicted only as emperor, but as a symbol of power that, in trying to become divine, ends up remaining prisoner of his own image.
The works of Marco Ercoli have been presented at Colasanti Auction House:
https://www.colasantiaste.com/it/artisti/marco-ercoli-1327
The artist is listed in Arsvalue’s artist catalog:
https://www.arsvalue.com/en/lots/1278322/marco-ercoli-roma-1986-albero-della-vita
Instagram Page:
https://www.instagram.com/marco__ercoli/
Marco Ercoli
Artistic Curriculum
Awards and Recognitions
2024: Selected among the "222 Artists to Invest in 2024", editorial volume edited by Exibart.
2023 – Gualdo Tadino: Realization of the Palio for the 2023 edition of the "Giochi de le Porte", presented with a standing ovation at the Monumental Church of San Francesco.
2019 – Isernia: Winner of the P.A.C.I. Award, Quality Award, Auditorium Città d'Isernia.
2012 – France: Colart scholarship at the Atelier "Plessix-Madeuc".
2008 – Rome: Winner of the "MarteLive" Quality Award, painting section.
Solo Exhibitions
2023 – Gualdo Tadino (PG): "In Your Eyes", Museum Hub - Monumental Church of San Francesco, curated by Cesare Biasini Selvaggi.
2022 – Rome: "Epimetheus", Gallery 28 Piazza di Pietra, curated by Giorgia Basili.
2021 – Massa Lubrense (NA): "Night", Art Hotel Villa Fiorella, curated by Giorgia Basili.
2016 – Rome: "7", Galleria Curva Pura, curated by Serena Di Giovanni.
2010 – Rome: "F(R)ame", Libreria Einaudi.
2009 – Rome: "Butterfly Collection". Ercoli Contemporary Art Gallery, curated by Carlo Ercoli.
2009 – Rome: "Matter and Ego", Galleria Casina Giustiniani.
Group Exhibitions and Pavilions
2018 – Basel (Switzerland): "Sommerausstellung", Galerie Eulenspiegel.
2018 – Rome: "Profane liquid, for external use only", Studio Giga, curated by Bianca Catalano.
2015 – Rome: "Radiate", TakeawayGallery.
2015 – Fermo: Stripe Festival Art and Architecture.
2015 – Milan: Affordable Art Fair Milan (AAF), Superstudio Più, Stand E5 (White Noise Gallery).
2015 – Rome: "Any Given Post-it", White Noise Gallery.
2013 – Rome: "First Art Hotel", Galleria Muciaccia.
2012 – Rome: "Rendez-vous", Galleria ArtePerOggi.
2012 – France: "Les Atelier du Plessix-Madeuc", Abbaye St Magloire, Lehon.
2011 – Turin: Venice Biennale, Italian Pavilion.
Installations and Special Projects
2018 – Civitella d'Agliano (VT): "Agora", Permanent Installation, project 1 Artist 1 Day, Contaminazioni d'Arte.
Title: Ecstasy
Technique: oil on canvas,
Dimensions: 65 × 50 cm
Year: 2022
In Ecstasy, the golden bust of Caligula appears as an idol immersed in dark and lush vegetation. The figure emerges facing front, still, almost hieratic, while around him the painting matter seems to liquefy into yellow and amber drips, resembling honey. This substance envelops the face and body like a second skin: seductive, precious, but also viscous and unsettling.
The work reflects on the desire to deify the emperor, on his will to rise beyond human measure and to identify himself with an absolute, almost solar, presence. Yet the image does not celebrate a pacified glory: it transforms him into an ambiguous vision, suspended between apotheosis and decomposition. The closed, stern face, with blind eyes or eyes looking inward, seems to belong more to a relic than to a living man.
The honey dripping on the gilded busts becomes a symbol of seduction and corruption together. It evokes gold, worship, offering, the sweetness of power; but at the same time it suggests an excess that traps, suffocates, consumes. The vegetation, instead of being mere ornament, appears as a nocturnal force that surrounds and besieges the idol, turning the scene into a mental and sacred jungle.
Ecstasy is an intense and visionary work, built on the contrast between splendor and darkness, attraction and unease, sacredness and vice. Caligula is not depicted only as emperor, but as a symbol of power that, in trying to become divine, ends up remaining prisoner of his own image.
The works of Marco Ercoli have been presented at Colasanti Auction House:
https://www.colasantiaste.com/it/artisti/marco-ercoli-1327
The artist is listed in Arsvalue’s artist catalog:
https://www.arsvalue.com/en/lots/1278322/marco-ercoli-roma-1986-albero-della-vita
Instagram Page:
https://www.instagram.com/marco__ercoli/
Marco Ercoli
Artistic Curriculum
Awards and Recognitions
2024: Selected among the "222 Artists to Invest in 2024", editorial volume edited by Exibart.
2023 – Gualdo Tadino: Realization of the Palio for the 2023 edition of the "Giochi de le Porte", presented with a standing ovation at the Monumental Church of San Francesco.
2019 – Isernia: Winner of the P.A.C.I. Award, Quality Award, Auditorium Città d'Isernia.
2012 – France: Colart scholarship at the Atelier "Plessix-Madeuc".
2008 – Rome: Winner of the "MarteLive" Quality Award, painting section.
Solo Exhibitions
2023 – Gualdo Tadino (PG): "In Your Eyes", Museum Hub - Monumental Church of San Francesco, curated by Cesare Biasini Selvaggi.
2022 – Rome: "Epimetheus", Gallery 28 Piazza di Pietra, curated by Giorgia Basili.
2021 – Massa Lubrense (NA): "Night", Art Hotel Villa Fiorella, curated by Giorgia Basili.
2016 – Rome: "7", Galleria Curva Pura, curated by Serena Di Giovanni.
2010 – Rome: "F(R)ame", Libreria Einaudi.
2009 – Rome: "Butterfly Collection". Ercoli Contemporary Art Gallery, curated by Carlo Ercoli.
2009 – Rome: "Matter and Ego", Galleria Casina Giustiniani.
Group Exhibitions and Pavilions
2018 – Basel (Switzerland): "Sommerausstellung", Galerie Eulenspiegel.
2018 – Rome: "Profane liquid, for external use only", Studio Giga, curated by Bianca Catalano.
2015 – Rome: "Radiate", TakeawayGallery.
2015 – Fermo: Stripe Festival Art and Architecture.
2015 – Milan: Affordable Art Fair Milan (AAF), Superstudio Più, Stand E5 (White Noise Gallery).
2015 – Rome: "Any Given Post-it", White Noise Gallery.
2013 – Rome: "First Art Hotel", Galleria Muciaccia.
2012 – Rome: "Rendez-vous", Galleria ArtePerOggi.
2012 – France: "Les Atelier du Plessix-Madeuc", Abbaye St Magloire, Lehon.
2011 – Turin: Venice Biennale, Italian Pavilion.
Installations and Special Projects
2018 – Civitella d'Agliano (VT): "Agora", Permanent Installation, project 1 Artist 1 Day, Contaminazioni d'Arte.
Details
Artist
Marco Ercoli
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Direct from the artist
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
Estasi
Technique
Oil painting
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Italy
Year
2022
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
65 cm
Width
50 cm
Style
Symbolism
Period
2020+
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