Born to Italian parents in Argentina, Emilio Pettoruti embarked on a significant journey to Europe, residing there from 1913 to 1924. During this time, he directly engaged with avant-garde groups, although he did not adhere strictly to any specific movement. One of his most notable works, La del Abanico Verde o El abanico verde (1919), captures Pettoruti’s distinct vision of modern art.
In this piece, the woman’s body is deconstructed into geometric forms, with a fan grasped in her hand. The swirling curves of the fan in motion are echoed in the lines surrounding the woman’s head, highlighting Pettoruti’s fascination with capturing dynamic movement. This interest in motion was shared with the Italian Futurists, a group that inspired Pettoruti during his time in Europe.
Through the folds of the fan, Pettoruti also demonstrates his mastery of fragmented and successive planes, a hallmark of Cubism. However, the woman’s pink dress offers a departure from the usual chromatic sobriety associated with this movement. Instead, it evokes the rosy hues seen in Fra Angelico’s paintings of angels, an artist whom Pettoruti had studied.
First displayed in Milan in 1919, where Pettoruti was residing at the time, this painting showcases his unique style that fuses elements from various artistic movements. A true testament to his artistic prowess and global influences.
www.ftn-books.com has one Pettorutti title available.
