Created By
Francesco Lietti
wood cut-outs
Curator
Luke Chapman
In this pair of works, we see Lietti pushing the boundaries of his urban vocabulary. The introduction of this more experimental color palette, particularly in the right panel, suggests an artist increasingly confident in allowing joy and playfulness to infiltrate the often austere vocabulary of architectural representation. The pieces exemplify what I've always admired about Lietti's practice - his ability to capture not just the physical presence of the city, but its emotional resonance, its dreams, and its possibilities. These works speak particularly to collectors who understand that cities are not merely steel and glass, but containers of human aspiration and imagination.
In this diptych, Lietti presents a particularly playful and rhythmic interpretation of the urban landscape, marking a notable departure from his more traditionally colored cityscapes. The composition demonstrates his evolving exploration of the metropolis through an increasingly bold chromatic vocabulary. The left panel orchestrates a sophisticated interplay of cool and warm tones - deep navy blues contrast with vibrant yellows and soft peaches, while architectural elements are defined through precise geometric interventions. The diagonal zigzag pattern in gold creates a dynamic energy that draws the eye upward, mimicking the ascendant nature of urban architecture. The right panel ventures into more experimental territory, introducing an almost confectionery palette of pinks alongside bold magenta and crimson. The vertical white zigzag becomes a defining architectural feature, while the varied textural patterns - from horizontal striations to grid-like structures - create a rich tapestry of urban surfaces. The resin finish adds particular depth to these color relationships, creating an almost jewel-like quality in certain sections. What's particularly compelling is how Lietti maintains architectural rigidity while allowing color to perform an almost musical function - each hue seems to vibrate against its neighbor, creating a visual rhythm that transforms concrete urban forms into something more akin to a metropolitan jazz composition.
Created By
Francesco Lietti
60 x 90 cm | 24 x 35 in
Unframed, stretched
2024
