Raffaele Palmieri (1988) - Kafka’s Trial II
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Selected by Giulia Santoro
Specialised in 17th century Old Master paintings and drawings with auction house experience.
Estimate € 2,000 - € 2,400
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Description from the seller
A solitary figure emerges from a luminous turquoise ground, his composed expression concealing an undercurrent of uncertainty. In Kafka’s Trial II, Raffaele Palmieri revisits the existential tension that permeates Franz Kafka’s literary universe, where identity is shaped as much by inner consciousness as by unseen forces beyond one’s control.
Painted with restrained yet expressive brushwork, the portrait balances precision with dissolution. Features are carefully modelled before dissolving into loose passages of paint, allowing the material itself to participate in the psychological narrative. The subtle textures of the linen surface remain visible beneath translucent layers of oil, reinforcing Palmieri’s fascination with revealing, rather than concealing, the history of the painting’s making.
Rather than depicting Kafka as a historical figure, the work presents him as a universal symbol of introspection and quiet resilience. His gaze avoids direct confrontation, inviting viewers into a space of contemplation where ambiguity becomes a language of its own. The restrained palette, punctuated by the vivid turquoise background, heightens the emotional distance between the sitter and the viewer while simultaneously drawing them into an intimate dialogue.
In Kafka’s Trial II, Palmieri transforms portraiture into an exploration of the human condition, where memory, vulnerability and identity coexist within the physical language of paint. The result is a work that feels both timeless and profoundly contemporary, reflecting the enduring relevance of Kafka’s vision through the artist’s distinctly intuitive practice.
—
Originally trained in architecture and interior design, Palmieri brings a unique sensitivity to painting, where structure gives way to intuition. Working exclusively in oil, he builds and disrupts his surfaces with natural pigments, revealing hidden layers that mirror the complexity of memory, identity and the subconscious.
Entirely self taught, his work quickly attracted critical attention, culminating in his selection for the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London just eight months after beginning his painting practice.
His portraits occupy a compelling space between observation and psychological enquiry, where each brushstroke becomes part of an evolving conversation between material, emotion and the human condition.
⸻
Havisham & Co.
Havisham & Co. is a London-based fine art agency representing contemporary artists whose work engages with heritage, symbolism, and classical craftsmanship. The agency facilitates the placement of original artworks through curated sales, private transactions, and selected international auction platforms.
Instagram: @havishamco
Website: www.havishamco.com
Email: info@havishamco.com
International shipments may be subject to customs duties and import taxes, which are determined by local authorities and are the responsibility of the buyer.
Seller's Story
Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth. Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth.
Instagram: havishamco
A solitary figure emerges from a luminous turquoise ground, his composed expression concealing an undercurrent of uncertainty. In Kafka’s Trial II, Raffaele Palmieri revisits the existential tension that permeates Franz Kafka’s literary universe, where identity is shaped as much by inner consciousness as by unseen forces beyond one’s control.
Painted with restrained yet expressive brushwork, the portrait balances precision with dissolution. Features are carefully modelled before dissolving into loose passages of paint, allowing the material itself to participate in the psychological narrative. The subtle textures of the linen surface remain visible beneath translucent layers of oil, reinforcing Palmieri’s fascination with revealing, rather than concealing, the history of the painting’s making.
Rather than depicting Kafka as a historical figure, the work presents him as a universal symbol of introspection and quiet resilience. His gaze avoids direct confrontation, inviting viewers into a space of contemplation where ambiguity becomes a language of its own. The restrained palette, punctuated by the vivid turquoise background, heightens the emotional distance between the sitter and the viewer while simultaneously drawing them into an intimate dialogue.
In Kafka’s Trial II, Palmieri transforms portraiture into an exploration of the human condition, where memory, vulnerability and identity coexist within the physical language of paint. The result is a work that feels both timeless and profoundly contemporary, reflecting the enduring relevance of Kafka’s vision through the artist’s distinctly intuitive practice.
—
Originally trained in architecture and interior design, Palmieri brings a unique sensitivity to painting, where structure gives way to intuition. Working exclusively in oil, he builds and disrupts his surfaces with natural pigments, revealing hidden layers that mirror the complexity of memory, identity and the subconscious.
Entirely self taught, his work quickly attracted critical attention, culminating in his selection for the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London just eight months after beginning his painting practice.
His portraits occupy a compelling space between observation and psychological enquiry, where each brushstroke becomes part of an evolving conversation between material, emotion and the human condition.
⸻
Havisham & Co.
Havisham & Co. is a London-based fine art agency representing contemporary artists whose work engages with heritage, symbolism, and classical craftsmanship. The agency facilitates the placement of original artworks through curated sales, private transactions, and selected international auction platforms.
Instagram: @havishamco
Website: www.havishamco.com
Email: info@havishamco.com
International shipments may be subject to customs duties and import taxes, which are determined by local authorities and are the responsibility of the buyer.
Seller's Story
Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth. Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth.
Instagram: havishamco
Details
Artist
Raffaele Palmieri (1988)
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Agent
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
Kafka’s Trial II
Technique
Oil painting
Signature
Signed
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Year
2026
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
30 cm
Width
30 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Expressionism
Period
2020+
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