Antonio Sciacca (1957), da Caravaggio - Testa di Medusa





| €250 | ||
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| €160 | ||
| €150 |
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Testa di Medusa, period 1990–2000, mixed media, Italy.
Description from the seller
The painting presented here is Medusa's head by Antonio Sciacca, oil on canvas.
Dimensions 70 cm x 50 cm without frame. From 1999.
Antonio Sciacca's painting, inspired by Caravaggio's famous 'Medusa,' is a work of great visual and symbolic impact. Originally commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte, ambassador to Rome of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the painting was donated in 1598 to Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici to enrich his collection at Palazzo Vecchio.
Sciacca depicts Medusa, the mythological monster with a head of snakes, at the moment of her defeat by Perseus. With Minerva's help, Perseus observes Medusa's face reflected in his shield and beheads her. Sciacca's portrayal captures the dramatic moment when the Gorgon is killed: the screaming face, the eyes and mouth wide open in fear and surprise, and the head from which blood flows.
The choice to depict Medusa is not accidental; the head of the Gorgon indeed represents the allegory of wisdom and prudence, two concepts highly valued by the Medici. In this work, Sciacca's mastery is evident in his ability to deliberately leave the drawing's graphic quality visible, allowing viewers to appreciate its grace, the bold and decisive brushstrokes.
Sciacca uses a palette of vivid and contrasting colors, with tones ranging from ochre yellows, intense greens, to deep blues and grays, passing through bright reds. This use of color helps create a dramatic and intense atmosphere, amplifying the horror and tragedy of the moment depicted.
The brushstrokes of Sciacca are decisive and vigorous, giving the painting a rich and dynamic texture. His ability to render anatomical details and the complexity of the snakes forming Medusa's hair demonstrates remarkable technical mastery.
This work of remarkable craftsmanship has been exhibited in various national and international shows, receiving praise from the world's leading critics. It is considered a secure investment due to its artistic quality and symbolic value. Critics have praised Sciacca for his ability to reinterpret a classical subject with modern sensitivity, while maintaining a deep respect for traditional painting. The artwork will be professionally packed, shipped with tracked delivery, and insured.
Seller's Story
The painting presented here is Medusa's head by Antonio Sciacca, oil on canvas.
Dimensions 70 cm x 50 cm without frame. From 1999.
Antonio Sciacca's painting, inspired by Caravaggio's famous 'Medusa,' is a work of great visual and symbolic impact. Originally commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte, ambassador to Rome of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the painting was donated in 1598 to Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici to enrich his collection at Palazzo Vecchio.
Sciacca depicts Medusa, the mythological monster with a head of snakes, at the moment of her defeat by Perseus. With Minerva's help, Perseus observes Medusa's face reflected in his shield and beheads her. Sciacca's portrayal captures the dramatic moment when the Gorgon is killed: the screaming face, the eyes and mouth wide open in fear and surprise, and the head from which blood flows.
The choice to depict Medusa is not accidental; the head of the Gorgon indeed represents the allegory of wisdom and prudence, two concepts highly valued by the Medici. In this work, Sciacca's mastery is evident in his ability to deliberately leave the drawing's graphic quality visible, allowing viewers to appreciate its grace, the bold and decisive brushstrokes.
Sciacca uses a palette of vivid and contrasting colors, with tones ranging from ochre yellows, intense greens, to deep blues and grays, passing through bright reds. This use of color helps create a dramatic and intense atmosphere, amplifying the horror and tragedy of the moment depicted.
The brushstrokes of Sciacca are decisive and vigorous, giving the painting a rich and dynamic texture. His ability to render anatomical details and the complexity of the snakes forming Medusa's hair demonstrates remarkable technical mastery.
This work of remarkable craftsmanship has been exhibited in various national and international shows, receiving praise from the world's leading critics. It is considered a secure investment due to its artistic quality and symbolic value. Critics have praised Sciacca for his ability to reinterpret a classical subject with modern sensitivity, while maintaining a deep respect for traditional painting. The artwork will be professionally packed, shipped with tracked delivery, and insured.

