Between Renaissance and Surrealism

Human meets divine as well as architecture meets nature in Pier Enrico Guzzi’s artwork. The artist was born in the province of Cuneo (Piedmont) and started his career in the theatre sector working as a scenographer until 1971, when he devoted himself to painting. Following up on his studies of Renaissance painting, he refined his technique, the “fresco” technique on board, working as Piero della Francesca did on the wall. The procedure is the same as the fresco on the wall: the artist spreads the plaster on the board and later he applies some color pigments which, in a few hours, are absorbed by the plaster underneath. The fresco technique requires a sure and experienced hand which can move forward without regrets. Time restraint and the further obstacle represented by the wet plaster that could modify the shade of colour to be applied, are deterrent to the use of this technique. Although the difficult of the technique, the resulti is amazing. Guzzi’s works are usually mistaken for print because of the refinement of his sign. The accuracy of the artist in the use of colour is as perfect as a printing press, indeed. The study of scenography that the artist attended during his early life are still recognized in the architectural structures that stand behind dechirichian mannequins, lonely figures that move forwards or stay still staring at the skyline. Human architecture are combined with sea, sky and all the elements created by God. The dreamlike atmosphere that we find in all of Guzzi’s works make the artist fall within the surrealistic movement according to which the task of art is to reveal all the most deep aspects of mind.

Galleria d’Arte Portofino exclusively presents a permanent collection of Pier Enrico Guzzi’s works. The artist, attached to Ligury where he decided to spend the last years of his life, chose Galleria d’Arte Portofino as his unique representative gallery. The gallery is committed to promote the artist’s artwork among international public of Portofino.

Elena Ruscelloni

“Progetto condiviso”, cm. 90×110, fresco technique on board