“The Village Festival” by Cleto Tomba represents a particularly significant work within the production of the Bolognese artist, known for his ability to transform scenes of everyday life into choral compositions rich in movement and human observation. Active during the twentieth century, Tomba in fact developed a personal language, characterized by a strong narrative component and by an expressive use of polychrome terracotta.
In this work, the scene comes alive through a long succession of figures engaged in dances, conversations and moments of conviviality, evoking the spontaneous and participatory atmosphere of a village festival. However, what makes the composition particularly effective is not only the subject, but the way in which the artist constructs the rhythm of the whole. The groups of figures in fact alternate naturally, creating a continuous movement that guides the eye along the entire sculpture.
Moreover, Cleto Tomba demonstrates remarkable sensitivity in the characterization of the figures. The accentuated gestures, dynamic postures and deliberately synthetic expressions immediately convey the sense of collective participation. The soft yet lively polychromy further helps to differentiate the figures and enrich the scene without weighing it down.
On the other hand, the choice of terracotta allows the artist to maintain a free and direct modelling, consistent with the popular and authentic character of the subject represented. Overall, “The Village Festival” therefore stands as a work capable of combining narration, dynamism and social attention, offering an intense yet immediate representation of communal and everyday life.
Description: Important polychrome terracotta sculpture on wooden base, signed Tomba on the base, bearing mark on the base, H cm 115x31x23.
Hammer Price: € 14.260,00
Auction 36 – 25 February 2020 – Modern and Contemporary Art
All works by Cleto Tomba presented in auction
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