Bivaga (1972) - La Custode della Saliera

In this portrait, Bivaga reimagines regal beauty through the lens of myth, craftsmanship, and memory. The young zarina appears suspended between eras, her luminous skin and pearl-laden adornments evoking the elegance of an imperial court, while the dramatic chiaroscuro envelops her in a quiet, spellbinding solemnity.

Nestled in her hands, the golden miniature — inspired by Benvenuto Cellini’s legendary saliera — becomes more than an object of opulence. It glows like a relic, a symbol of power, myth, and the delicate balance between land and sea. Its sculpted figures echo ancient worlds, while her steady gaze suggests the weight of history resting lightly upon her.

⸻

About the artist:
Agatino Bivona, known artistically as Bivaga, was born in Biancavilla, Sicily, in 1972 and currently lives and works in Adrano. A pupil and close confidant of master Antonio Sciacca, Bivaga began his artistic journey at a young age and has spent over three decades refining his unmistakable visual language. His hyperrealistic portraits, rich in symbolism and emotional nuance, have been featured in major exhibitions in Italy and abroad. Celebrated in critical publications such as I Grandi Maestri (2009), and reviewed by prominent art critics like Nicola Villari and Alfredo Pasolino, Bivaga’s works are held in private collections across Europe, the United States, and Japan — carrying fragments of Sicilian elegance far beyond its borders.

Full catalogue on www.BivagaStudio.com
Instagram: @bivagastudio