The Value of Waiting in Italian Art: From Pompeii to Contemporary Works

An article by Santa Nastro explores the theme of waiting in Italian art, tracing it from a Pompeian fresco at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN) to contemporary works. The fresco, inventory 114320, dated 20-25 AD, depicts Paris seated, waiting for Aphrodite's promised prize, with Cupid pointing to Helen. This eternal pause is seen as a quintessential Italian narrative. Nastro connects it to Paul Strand's photographs in 'Un Paese' (1955) with Cesare Zavattini, Henri Cartier-Bresson's Italian portfolio, and Carrie Mae Weems' Matera series exhibited at the American Academy in Rome and Palazzo Lanfranchi. The concept extends to Lucio Fontana's 'Attese' (Spatial Concepts), Giorgio de Chirico's 'La partenza degli Argonauti' (1922), and Raffaele Fiorella's 'Prove per una lunga attesa' (born 1979, shown at BACC Frascati). The article was published in Artribune Magazine #42.