G. Mattei - Untitled

The clown was a popular subject among genre painters of the 1970s and 1980s. Many artists dedicated much of their careers to depicting this theme, Romano Mussolini being a prime example. Typically, the interpretation of this subject is similar for all artists who attempt it: the clown appears with his makeup designed to evoke laughter and hilarity, but instead displays a melancholic expression. This contrast is intended to spark an empathetic dialogue with the viewer. The clown has also been favored by many painters for another formal reason. Indeed, his flamboyant makeup and colorful clothing offer painters a pretext for creating original color harmonies.

Mattei's aim is to offer a simplified interpretation of reality, seeking new values ​​of purity in representation. For this reason, his painting style can be described as naïve, yet it expresses itself in a highly classical and traditional manner. His language, in fact, is essentially figurative and finds its broadest expression in the traditional genres of landscape and still life. However, the artist manages to infuse tradition with his originality and personal touch, precisely through his pursuit of purity of representation that defines his style. Concretely, this is expressed in a fluid technique that resolves subjects with a few, quick but incisive strokes. Objects almost dematerialize in the lightness of the glazes. Even from a chromatic standpoint, the artist favors decidedly pale tones, full of light.

Both in his choice of subjects and his execution method, we can say that the artist G. Mattei moves within the realm of classical and figurative art, yet displays a certain naïve approach to his compositions. His desire to achieve lightness and simplicity in representation is evident, with the aim of imbuing his artwork with primordial values ​​of purity and innocence.

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