Marco Grassi Italian, b. 1966

 

The human form is at the center of Marco Grassi's artistic practice. Renown for his seductive depictions of women, Marco Grassi's models are simultaneously delicate and determined. His portraits, suffused with vibrant colors, carry a complex sensibility. Devoting himself to portraiture, Marco Grassi succeeds in challenging the typical standards of this genre through abstract colourplay and directional composition.

 

The artist forgoes preparatory sketches, choosing to apply his pigments directly on the canvas with a palette knife. In doing so, Marco Grassi allows the medium to define itself, honoring its texture and character. In his recent works, backgrounds tend to gradually integrate themselves with the subject, softly blending the frenetic edges created by the palette knife. Marco Grassi's style is defined by his layered work, each layer of color holding a unique energy and significance. The onlooker is invited to penetrate these layers to discover the emotional complexity of the artist's subjects. His female nudes are provocative and inviting, distinguishing themselves from traditional figure studies.