Antonio Sciacca (1957) - Lady with a Unicorn

This striking oil on canvas by Antonio Sciacca offers a masterful contemporary interpretation of High Renaissance portraiture, echoing the classical iconography of the "Lady with a Unicorn." The composition features a young noblewoman with a penetrating gaze cradling a small white unicorn—a traditional symbol of purity—against a stark, dark background that accentuates the dramatic lighting. Sciacca displays exceptional technical skill in the rendering of textures, particularly the lustrous strands of pearls adorning the subject’s neck, wrist, and diadem, which contrast beautifully with the deep red of her gown. Signed by the artist in the lower right corner, this work serves as a sophisticated homage to the Old Masters.

Artist Bio:
Antonio Sciacca (b. 1970, Sicily) is a distinguished Italian painter celebrated for his refined fusion of classical technique and contemporary sensibility. His work reflects a deep reverence for Renaissance and Neoclassical traditions, reinterpreted through an intimate and modern lens. Sciacca’s portraits are known for their quiet strength, psychological depth, and technical precision, often incorporating mythological or historical motifs as meditations on continuity and beauty. Exhibited internationally, his paintings stand as a testament to the enduring dialogue between art, humanity, and time.