Alfonso Leto Reveals "Ritratto in arancione" for ArtsLife's Weekly Artwork Series

In the latest edition of ArtsLife's "Un'opera a settimana," Alfonso Leto discusses his work "Ritratto in arancione," a painting crafted on slate. He notes the medium's audacity, tracing its origins to Sebastiano del Piombo and its later use by artists such as Tiziano, Bronzino, and Rubens. Leto began experimenting with slate in 2015, and in April 2018, an unfinished floral frame inspired him to develop this piece over three weeks. The image of the Afghan chadri symbolizes absence and the negation of identity. Leto stresses its connections to Assyrian and Byzantine heritage, rather than a narrative of oppressive dominance. The title challenges traditional portraiture, showcasing his preference for an aesthetically neutral approach. Previous features in the column include artists like Marcello Maloberti and Jacopo Benassi.