Mario Giacomelli (1925–2000) - Dalla serie “ la buona Terra “

Mario Giacomelli — La buona terra

Two men stand with their backs to the camera, holding bocce balls behind them as a gathering unfolds beyond. Their dark suits and broad-brimmed hats dominate the foreground, while an expanse of white fabric billows among the figures on the right. A solitary ball rests on the earth, connecting the quiet gestures of the two men to the communal scene around them.

In this photograph from La buona terra, an everyday encounter becomes a compelling study of gesture, distance and community. The foreground figures remain anonymous, yet their concealed hands reveal the game that occupies them. Beyond their shoulders, adults and children form a loosely arranged sequence of faces and movements. The viewer stands at the edge of the gathering, sharing the men’s position as both participants and observers.

The composition draws its expressive strength from the contrast between the dark silhouettes and the luminous fabric. The textured ground and uneven hillside anchor the scene, while the spacing of the figures gives it an almost theatrical rhythm. Rather than isolating one decisive action, the image holds several moments together: the pause in a game, the movement of cloth and the attention of the surrounding group.

This vintage gelatin silver print offers a distinctive addition to a carefully considered collection of Giacomelli’s photographs. Its collecting appeal lies in the specificity of the scene: the bocce held behind the men’s backs, the single ball on the ground and the white fabric suspended among the gathering. Together, these details give a fleeting rural encounter an enduring visual presence.

Details
Mario Giacomelli — La buona terra, 1964–1966
Vintage gelatin silver print
Photograph: 30.4 × 40.3 cm
Photographer’s “GIACOMELLI MARIO- via mastai 24- stamp on the reverse
Separate handwritten notation on the reverse, “180 REH”;
Framed dimensions: 41 × 51 cm
Frame fitted with museum glass

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