The artwork “Abbraccio” by Francesco Clemente was created in 1983. This figurative piece is rendered in pastel on Rives paper and is a representative work of the Transavantgarde art movement. It measures 26 x 19 inches (66 x 48.2 cm) and currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a figure rendered with bold and expressive use of color and form, manifesting the characteristic style of the Transavantgarde movement, which emerged in Italy as a reaction to the conceptual art movements of the previous decades. The use of pastel allows for rich textures and a softness that contrasts with the striking and somewhat unsettling presentation of the subject. The figure engages the viewer with a direct gaze and possesses exaggerated facial features that imbue it with an intense emotional presence. The composition employs a blend of realism and abstraction, a hallmark of Clemente’s work, with dream-like elements that challenge the perception of the viewer while inviting deeper contemplation of the human condition. The figure seems to be intertwined or emerging from the ambiguous yellow form that both envelops and reveals, suggesting themes of identity, transformation, and the complexity of the human psyche.
