White (Bianco)

Alberto Burri's "White (Bianco)" (1952)

Alberto Burri's "White (Bianco)," created in 1952, is a seminal work that exemplifies the artist's innovative use of mixed media, incorporating oil, enamel, metallic paint, fabric, synthetic polymer, tar, paper, thread, and gold leaf on fabric. This piece is a testament to Burri's pioneering approach to materiality and texture, challenging traditional notions of painting by integrating unconventional materials. Burri, originally trained as a physician, turned to art during his internment as a prisoner of war, which profoundly influenced his artistic trajectory. His work is often associated with the Arte Povera movement, although he predates it, and is noted for its exploration of themes such as destruction and regeneration. "White (Bianco)" reflects Burri's interest in the tactile and the transformative potential of materials, contributing significantly to post-war art discourse. The painting's complex surface and material diversity invite viewers to reconsider the boundaries between painting and sculpture.

"White (Bianco)" by Alberto Burri, created in 1952, exemplifies the artist's innovative use of mixed media, incorporating oil, enamel, metallic paint, fabric, synthetic polymer, tar, paper, thread, and gold leaf on fabric. This work is characteristic of Burri's exploration of texture and materiality, aligning with the Art Informel movement of the post-war period.