Antonio Sciacca (1957) - La Maschera del Silenzio

In The Mask of Silence, Antonio Sciacca returns to his distinctive dreamlike symbolism through the portrayal of an ethereal female figure holding a porcelain mask. Framed by flowing crimson and violet drapery, the figure appears immersed in quiet contemplation, her eyes lowered in an intimate moment suspended between reality and imagination.

The dramatic golden hair, sculpted into flame-like forms, has become one of Sciacca’s recognisable visual signatures. Contrasted against the delicate softness of the face and skin, it introduces a sense of timeless elegance and mystery. The white mask, with its hollow gaze and subtle human features, becomes a powerful symbol of identity, memory and the hidden aspects of the self.

Executed with refined brushwork and luminous colour transitions, the composition recalls the poetic atmosphere of Symbolist painting while maintaining a distinctly contemporary character. Rich reds and purples envelop the scene, creating a theatrical setting that enhances the emotional intensity of the work.

The Mask of Silence invites viewers to reflect upon the duality between appearance and inner truth, transforming a simple portrait into a meditation on vulnerability, introspection and the many faces we present to the world.

Oil on Canvas
2026

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Antonio Sciacca (b. 1957, Catania) is known for his sophisticated still lifes and figurative works that draw on classical composition and contemporary introspection. His paintings are held in private collections across Europe and have been widely exhibited in Italy and abroad.

Havisham & Co.
Presented by Havisham & Co., representing artists whose practices preserve and reinterpret the language of European painting.

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