“Compianto” (Commiseration) – exhibition of work by Paolo Baratella

The new exhibition on show at the halls of the Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation from 29 March to 4 May, looks at works by Paolo Baratella – Bologna-born painter, undisputed protagonist of the Italian contemporary art scene, since the 1960/70s.

One hundred years from the start of World War One, the exhibition “Compianto quattordiciquindicidiciotto – The Great War”, represents a incisive and touching appointment with remembrance.

The exhibition, with free admission, includes both already famous paintings and some new works, created for the occasion by Baratella, in the historical centre of Lucca, the adopted town of the painter.

“The paintings and video on show aim to bring back to life the climate in which that human disaster happened, and most of all recite the ‘commiseration’ for the victims of a senseless and terrifying conflict between peoples generated by crazy politics of dominion, from a perverse “disregard” for the gift of life.

His attention is turned to the “mentally scarred” survivors such as his uncle Bruno, who returned from the war forever mutilated by the neurosis of “shell shock”, saved, yet completely destroyed.” Avv Alberto del Carlo.