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Premium De Francesco Aste

Estimate €1,500 - €2,000
Sale commission
Description
Master Pain Dimensions: 60 × 70 cm Medium: Cotton canvas on a stretcher frame with 20 × 70 mm wooden bars. An apparently ordinary scene is transformed into something more enigmatic and original through the presence of three elements: a bird, a candle and darkness. The viewer should not seek purely rational explanations, nor focus on the literal identity of the objects depicted. In S. Testa’s paintings, a broader meaning transcends the objects themselves, going beyond their function and appearance. A resting bird is a recurring motif in S. Testa’s work. Its appeal lies in the contrast between its nature—brimming with energy and vitality—and the stillness in which it is portrayed. In this painting, its vivid yellow colour evokes that inner energy whilst also contributing to the chromatic balance and tonal tension of the composition. If one were to cover the bird with a hand, the scene would immediately appear flatter, more conventional, and deprived of much of its expressive power. The candle serves a similar purpose. The child is about to burn his hand, yet the mother does not intervene. The true teacher is pain. Through the experience of being burnt, the child will learn to recognise the danger hidden in unfamiliar objects. More importantly, he will come to understand that even things that appear beautiful, comforting and inviting may conceal unexpected risks. A candle possesses destructive power, yet at the same time it inspires peace and contemplation. This apparent contradiction embodies a universal duality. The latent power of the flame and its profound symbolic significance form the conceptual foundation of the painting. S. Testa was not interested in depicting a conventional scene of motherhood. Instead, he sought to explore the relationship between protection, experience and knowledge. In this work, pain is not presented as a punishment but as one of life’s essential teachers, guiding human growth and understanding.
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About the sale Auction 40 – Paintings and Works of Art (17th–20th centuries)
Auction location
Auction time 09/26/2026 at 3:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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