Ancient Inspirations: Paintings by Vincent Baldassano

February 18, 2016–May 13, 2016 Ancient Inspirations: Paintings by Vincent Baldassano

The paintings on exhibition were made in the summers of 2012, 2014, and 2015, during Vincent Baldassano’s tenure as a visiting artist at the American Academy in Rome. These works were inspired by ancient sites that he visited, such as Ostia Antica, the Pantheon, and the ruins of Mithraic temples, as well as by the city’s historical churches and the visible and tangible evidence of centuries of Italian culture.

Baldassano uses, among other media, acrylic on linen and canvas. His pieces, often rendered in lunette and gable-end shapes, employ bold color and vivid structural shapes in exuberant compositions. The paintings recall abstract expressionist configurations, demonstrating a deeply personal and contemporary sensibility informed by historical technique and echoes of archetypal symbols.

“In its totality, my work is a visual statement gleaned from my subconscious. It is an inventory of places I have lived in or traveled to; history, culture, and ancient themes are my inspirations.”

— Vincent Baldassano

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