Corso Leonello - Mosaico dell'anima

This work by Corso Leonello is a portrait in half-length, of extraordinary visual power, that transcends traditional painting to approach bas-relief sculpture. The style is strongly expressionist, where the human form is not defined by precise lines but by the chaotic and vital accumulation of matter and color. The image conveys a raw, almost primordial energy through a 'tortured' and vibrant surface.
The distinguishing feature of the painting is its incredible three-dimensionality. The artist used professional plaster to create a thick, irregular base, modeling the face, neck, and shoulders of the figure with a dense mixture. The surface is never smooth; it is a rugged landscape of peaks, depressions, lumps, and streaks. This textured base captures light dynamically, creating physical shadows that change depending on the viewing angle of the artwork.
On this plaster structure, the acrylic is applied with a kaleidoscopic and explosive palette. There are no flat areas: the colors – bright reds, deep blues, acid yellows, turquoises, pinks, and oranges – are mixed directly on the surface in vortices, splashes, and vigorous brushstrokes.
The face and body resemble a geological map of emotions, where colors blend and clash without any apparent order, suggesting a bubbling inner complexity.
The hair is rendered with a blazing orange-yellow color, shaped into sharp tips that point upward, contributing to the energetic and almost 'electric' appearance of the figure.
In stark contrast to the tactile roughness of the face, two glass eyes emerge. These inserts are perfectly smooth, shiny, and realistic, with black pupils and defined irises. Their realism and fixed gaze create a hypnotic and disorienting effect: they seem to look directly at the viewer with penetrating intensity, serving as a 'living' window amidst the chromatic chaos of the face.
The figure stands out prominently against a deep and uniform black background that serves to isolate the subject and maximize the vibrancy of the colors and texture.
The entire artwork is sealed with a professional varnish. This finish not only protects the plaster and acrylic but also gives the entire surface a 'wet' shine, further enhancing the depth of the colors and making the texture even more tactile and present.
Signed and dated on the back by the artist to guarantee its uniqueness.