Mariscos (Seafood)

The shape of this work, the circle, is integral to its meaning. The “tondo” (an abbreviation of “rotondo,” the Italian word for “round”), in the artistic lexicon, indicates circular works of art. This modality was popular during the Renaissance in Italy but also in other parts of Europe. During this period, many artists had sometimes conceived their works in this format, abandoning the classic “squared” configuration of paintings and adopting a circular form that suggested the idea of completeness, harmony, and perfection instead.

Mariscos is an homage that Gilardi makes to nature. Gilardi observed nature, he lived it directly, drew it outside, and then, in his studio, he began to give form to the polyurethane foam: he rough-hewed it, colored it, composed the scene, and explained the enchantment of nature through an artificial material. Tappeto-Natura came about this way, as an homage to the sea and to the fruits of nature.