Carlo Levi

Carlo Levi was born in Turin in November 1902 and passed away in Rome in January 1975. An artist who, as noted by Ragghianti, had already achieved "the first clear maturity of his means" by 1930-1931, Levi's work from this period includes a series of nudes that reflect his artistic evolution during his confinement in Lucania. In particular, the brushwork in the piece held in the Iannaccone Collection comes alive with a wave-like quality and density. Here, color takes precedence over composition, as Levi constructs figures in an anti-plastic manner, reminiscent of painters he discovered in France, such as Soutine and Pascin.

The influence of the great master of the Turin Six, Édouard Manet, is also evident in this nude, which lacks anatomical precision and is oriented diagonally, effectively slicing through the composition. This pronounced expressionism may be further justified by Levi's repeated interactions with Roman colleagues, which began with the joint exhibition of Levi, Menzio, and Paulucci at the First Quadriennale in Rome in 1931, where they received significant support from Bardi and his gallery.

The collection also features a Ritratto di donna (Portrait of a Woman) created between 1932 and 1933, where the red tones in the hands stand out. This element, also present in the Ritratto di Ginzburg, reflects Levi's exploration of the expressive potential of color. His works encapsulate a rich interplay between form and emotion, showcasing his mastery in utilizing color to convey deeper feelings and narratives.