Celebrating 60 years since Giorgio Morandi’s death, Galerie Mattia De Luca has brought to New York a stunning exhibition featuring 60 works by the revered Italian painter and printmaker. Notably, Morandi has not had a major show in the city since the Met held a retrospective in 2008. While he is more lauded in Europe, this exhibition is perfectly housed in a beautifully renovated 19th-century townhouse on East 63rd Street off Fifth Avenue, making it a fitting tribute to his legacy.

A PERFECT SETTING FOR INTIMATE ART

The newly renovated space, curated by Mattia De Luca, boasts wooden floors, white walls, and inviting brick fireplaces. Large windows allow natural light to filter in, creating a warm atmosphere that feels intimate—just the right setting for Morandi’s small yet profound paintings. “Most of Morandi’s work is in private hands or in museums, rarely coming up for auction,” Mattia notes. “This exhibit is a rare opportunity to experience the deep beauty of his work up close.”

Along with Marilena Pasquali, founder and director of the Giorgio Morandi Study Center in Bologna, De Luca has successfully procured 27 paintings for this exhibit. The first part of the exhibition, “Giorgio Morandi – Time Suspended I,” opened in Rome in spring 2022. Now, “Time Suspended II” runs through November 27, 2024, showcasing 48 paintings, five etchings, four watercolors, and some drawings—many of which have never been shown in New York.

The newly renovated space, curated by Mattia De Luca, boasts wooden floors, white walls, and inviting brick fireplaces. Large windows allow natural light to filter in, creating a warm atmosphere that feels intimate—just the right setting for Morandi’s small yet profound paintings. “Most of Morandi’s work is in private hands or in museums, rarely coming up for auction,” Mattia notes. “This exhibit is a rare opportunity to experience the deep beauty of his work up close.”

Along with Marilena Pasquali, founder and director of the Giorgio Morandi Study Center in Bologna, De Luca has successfully procured 27 paintings for this exhibit. The first part of the exhibition, “Giorgio Morandi – Time Suspended I,” opened in Rome in spring 2022. Now, “Time Suspended II” runs through November 27, 2024, showcasing 48 paintings, five etchings, four watercolors, and some drawings—many of which have never been shown in New York.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

During a guided tour of the exhibition, it became clear that De Luca is deeply passionate about Morandi and devoted to preserving his legacy. He highlighted nuances often overlooked, such as Morandi's unique signature on each painting—never casual, always specific.

As he eloquently puts it, “It’s hard to put [the work] into words,” reflecting the otherness that defines Morandi's art. This sentiment resonates with Fernando Pessoa’s The Book of Disquiet: “The visible world goes on as usual in the broad daylight. Otherness watches us from the shadows.”

Mattia's connection to Morandi began when he was just 13, sparking a lifelong fascination. His journey through the challenges of the pandemic led him to curate this exhibition, capturing the suspended feeling of Morandi's work.

During a guided tour of the exhibition, it became clear that De Luca is deeply passionate about Morandi and devoted to preserving his legacy. He highlighted nuances often overlooked, such as Morandi's unique signature on each painting—never casual, always specific.

As he eloquently puts it, “It’s hard to put [the work] into words,” reflecting the otherness that defines Morandi's art. This sentiment resonates with Fernando Pessoa’s The Book of Disquiet: “The visible world goes on as usual in the broad daylight. Otherness watches us from the shadows.”

Mattia's connection to Morandi began when he was just 13, sparking a lifelong fascination. His journey through the challenges of the pandemic led him to curate this exhibition, capturing the suspended feeling of Morandi's work.

Morandi’s paintings compel viewers to pause and reflect, revealing their beauty over time. De Luca describes Morandi as “an artist’s artist,” capturing the essence of why his work continues to inspire contemporary creators. The delicate brushstrokes and warm pastels animate everyday objects, lending them distinct personalities.

Morandi’s influence is far-reaching, impacting renowned figures such as Philip Guston, Frank Gehry, and Louise Nevelson. De Luca emphasizes, “What makes Morandi so great is his ability to transfer emotions into objects, bringing them to life.” As visitors move through the exhibition, they can witness the evolution of Morandi's work—from technical experimentation to the deeply emotional pieces created in his later years.

Morandi’s paintings compel viewers to pause and reflect, revealing their beauty over time. De Luca describes Morandi as “an artist’s artist,” capturing the essence of why his work continues to inspire contemporary creators. The delicate brushstrokes and warm pastels animate everyday objects, lending them distinct personalities.

Morandi’s influence is far-reaching, impacting renowned figures such as Philip Guston, Frank Gehry, and Louise Nevelson. De Luca emphasizes, “What makes Morandi so great is his ability to transfer emotions into objects, bringing them to life.” As visitors move through the exhibition, they can witness the evolution of Morandi's work—from technical experimentation to the deeply emotional pieces created in his later years.

FROM BOLOGNA TO THE WHITE HOUSE

Described by art historian Roberto Longhi as “arguably the greatest Italian painter of the 20th century,” Morandi's legacy is notable. In 2009, President Obama chose two of Morandi’s paintings for the White House collection, underlining his cultural significance. Born in Bologna in 1890, Morandi lived through two world wars and dedicated his life to art, ultimately becoming a professor of etching at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna.

Morandi worked in a small studio filled with everyday objects—bottles, pitchers, and vases—often left to accumulate dust. His intense focus and obsession with painting led him to create extraordinary works that speak volumes about the ordinary.

Described by art historian Roberto Longhi as “arguably the greatest Italian painter of the 20th century,” Morandi's legacy is notable. In 2009, President Obama chose two of Morandi’s paintings for the White House collection, underlining his cultural significance. Born in Bologna in 1890, Morandi lived through two world wars and dedicated his life to art, ultimately becoming a professor of etching at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna.

Morandi worked in a small studio filled with everyday objects—bottles, pitchers, and vases—often left to accumulate dust. His intense focus and obsession with painting led him to create extraordinary works that speak volumes about the ordinary.

THE EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE

The exhibition cleverly separates Morandi’s early works from those created in the 1950s leading up to his death in 1964. The later pieces exhibit a more relaxed brushwork and blurred colors, evoking a sense of fading, as if mirroring the artist’s own journey.

Morandi's expertise in etching is also on display, showcasing his command of negative space and tonal variation. The flower paintings, intimate gifts to friends, reveal a side of Morandi that further emphasizes his reluctance to sell works he deemed too personal.

The exhibition cleverly separates Morandi’s early works from those created in the 1950s leading up to his death in 1964. The later pieces exhibit a more relaxed brushwork and blurred colors, evoking a sense of fading, as if mirroring the artist’s own journey.

Morandi's expertise in etching is also on display, showcasing his command of negative space and tonal variation. The flower paintings, intimate gifts to friends, reveal a side of Morandi that further emphasizes his reluctance to sell works he deemed too personal.

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CONCLUSION

“Giorgio Morandi – Time Suspended II” at Galerie Mattia De Luca offers a unique opportunity to engage intimately with the artist's profound legacy. The exhibition challenges viewers to go beyond mere observation, inviting them to experience the beauty and emotional depth found within simplicity. Morandi's art compels us to open ourselves up to the nuances of existence, capturing the essence of a life spent in quiet contemplation.

This exhibition is not just a display of art; it is a celebration of Giorgio Morandi’s extraordinary ability to uncover the beauty within the ordinary. Don’t miss the chance to experience this unique opportunity before it concludes on November 27, 2024.

For more details, visit Galerie Mattia De Luca.

“Giorgio Morandi – Time Suspended II” at Galerie Mattia De Luca offers a unique opportunity to engage intimately with the artist's profound legacy. The exhibition challenges viewers to go beyond mere observation, inviting them to experience the beauty and emotional depth found within simplicity. Morandi's art compels us to open ourselves up to the nuances of existence, capturing the essence of a life spent in quiet contemplation.

This exhibition is not just a display of art; it is a celebration of Giorgio Morandi’s extraordinary ability to uncover the beauty within the ordinary. Don’t miss the chance to experience this unique opportunity before it concludes on November 27, 2024.

For more details, visit Galerie Mattia De Luca.

Giorgio Morandi—Time Suspended, Part II at Mattia De Luca

Giorgio Morandi—Time Suspended, Part II at Mattia De Luca

Giorgio Morandi—Time Suspended, Part II at Mattia De Luca

A PERFECT SETTING FOR INTIMATE ART

A PERFECT SETTING FOR INTIMATE ART

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

AN ARTIST'S ARTIST

AN ARTIST'S ARTIST

FROM BOLOGNA TO THE WHITE HOUSE

FROM BOLOGNA TO THE WHITE HOUSE

Morandi worked in a small studio filled with everyday objects—bottles, pitchers, and vases—often left to accumulate dust. His intense focus and obsession with painting led him to create extraordinary works that speak volumes about the ordinary.

THE EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE

THE EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE

BACK TO ARTICLES

BACK TO ARTICLES

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

BACK TO ARTICLES

BACK TO ARTICLES