The work “Untitled” by Emilio Scanavino represents one of the most intense expressions of his exploration of the relationship between sign, matter, and space. Executed with a strong gestural component, the composition is distinguished by its dynamic use of red and black, symbolic colours that become vehicles of tension and inner drama. The abstract forms, intertwined and at times seemingly wounded, evoke a material and calligraphic language that is at once rigorous and lyrical.
Born in Genoa in 1922, Scanavino was a central figure of Italian Informal Art, combining painterly gesture with a profound reflection on the fragility and resilience of matter. In his works, the gesture is never accidental; rather, it becomes a ritual, a means of communicating the anguish and hope inherent in human existence.
In this “Untitled” composition, the red brushstrokes—almost like visual wounds—interact with dense and powerful black structures, creating a balance that is both dramatic and harmonious. The artist transforms the surface into an emotional battlefield where the sign becomes memory and wound, but also rebirth. Through chromatic contrasts and visual rhythms, Scanavino succeeds in expressing the profound secular spirituality that is characteristic of his artistic vision.
Description: Acrylic on cardboard, signed lower right, H cm 50×45.
Provenance: Private collection, Rome.
Hammer Price: € 4.500,00
Auction 83 – May 7th 2025 – Modern and Contemporary Art
All works by Emilio Scanavino presented at auction
Discover all the top lots from our Modern and Contemporary art auctions!
Do you own a work by Emilio Scanavino? Request a free valuation right now!
Contact us:
