Scipione (Macerata 1904 – Arco, Trento 1933)
Gino Bonichi – with the stage name of Scipione - , leading figure of the “Roman School” and above all of the Roberto-Longhi-called “Via Cavour School”.
Right Rome, the key of his works, is portrayed preferring a tone painting based on burnt colours. His activity, cut short because of the consumption, condenses the birth of his very original language between 1928 and 1931.
It reminds to a moralizing Surrealism and particularly to a haunted Expressionism in a baroque Rome. The “Doyen Cardinal”, the “Self-portrait”and “Navona Square” are some of the masterpieces which consecrate his artistic value.
Scipione’s painting appears at times tormented. There is a steady alternation between some mythical references and a great plency of the Expressionist European lesson’s hints (Soutine in particular). A real roundup of pre-Fellini characters flow iniside his palettes: from the cardinal to the catholic prince, to the lady of the court.
All these subjects are removed from the time and the history, in a clerical and pagan Rome, delivered to the sorcery and the magic.
Bibliography:
“Il profeta di Via Cavour : Scipione”
Bertoli, Raffaello 2007Scipione 1904-1933: Rome, Villa Torlonia Museums – Casino of princes 7th Sep - 6th Jan-
(Dantini 2005).
Consulenza linguistica a cura di Rosa Maria Curci