The artwork, titled “Spoleto Festival,” was created by Saul Steinberg in 1969 and belongs to the art movements of Cubism and Surrealism. It is a poster representing the Spoleto Festival, featuring an engaging and distinct visual style typical of Steinberg’s work.
The artwork depicts a composition with a Cubist and Surrealist sensibility, characterized by its abstract and fragmented forms. It presents two human-like figures, one holding a mask facing the other, rendered in a mix of straight and curving lines with textured shading. The figures and mask are created using a collage technique that combines elements of drawing and cut-paper. The top of the artwork prominently features the text “SPOLETO FESTIVAL 1969” with playful typography that adds to the artwork’s whimsical nature. The choice of muted colors and the intricate detailing of the characters embody both a surreal and a cubist aesthetic, illustrating the inventive and imaginative spirit of both the festival and the artist.
