Join The Collection to save, track, and explore works like this.

Valentino Vago — R.5
Valentino Vago

R.5

1992

"R.5", a striking oil on canvas from 1992, exemplifies Valentino Vago's masterful exploration of color as pure light and form. The composition is dominated by a profound, almost absolute darkness, meticulously rendered in varying shades of deep indigo and velvety black. A subtle horizontal division, barely perceptible, delineates the canvas, suggesting a distant horizon or a planar shift within the immersive field of color. Central to this expansive darkness are two luminous, circular forms of vibrant ultramarine, positioned with a meditative balance. These singular blue elements emerge from the deep ground, acting as focal points that draw the viewer into the painting's quiet intensity, hinting at hidden depths and radiant presences within the perceived void. The delicate interplay between these intense points of color and the vast, absorbing darkness creates a dynamic tension, inviting prolonged visual engagement. Vago’s signature approach to painting, often described as an investigation into the immateriality of light and space, is powerfully evident in "R.5". The artist eschews overt narrative or figurative representation, instead inviting a contemplative experience through chromatic nuance and precise spatial arrangement. The careful layering of oil paint creates a rich, textured surface, visible upon close inspection, which absorbs and reflects light in subtle ways, enhancing the work's atmospheric quality and depth. The two vivid blue circles are not merely geometric shapes; they resonate with an inner luminosity, suggesting a spiritual dimension or an essence distilled from the surrounding darkness, a quiet affirmation of presence. This painting offers a profound encounter with color, transforming the canvas into a field of pure visual sensation and introspective thought, a hallmark of Vago’s mature oeuvre. It stands as a testament to his ability to evoke profound emotion and contemplation through the most minimal means, making it a significant acquisition for any discerning collection.

Medium
Oil on canvas

🔨 Auction Lot

Martini Studio d'Arte: Modern & Contemporary Art (December 2018)

December 20, 2018

Estimate: €2,000 to €3,000

Lot 74

Start the Discussion

Request access to join the discussion

About this work

Valentino Vago, R.5, 1992

"R.5", a striking oil on canvas from 1992, exemplifies Valentino Vago's masterful exploration of color as pure light and form. The composition is dominated by a profound, almost absolute darkness, meticulously rendered in varying shades of deep indigo and velvety black. A subtle horizontal division, barely perceptible, delineates the canvas, suggesting a distant horizon or a planar shift within the immersive field of color. Central to this expansive darkness are two luminous, circular forms of vibrant ultramarine, positioned with a meditative balance. These singular blue elements emerge from the deep ground, acting as focal points that draw the viewer into the painting's quiet intensity, hinting at hidden depths and radiant presences within the perceived void. The delicate interplay between these intense points of color and the vast, absorbing darkness creates a dynamic tension, inviting prolonged visual engagement. Vago’s signature approach to painting, often described as an investigation into the immateriality of light and space, is powerfully evident in "R.5". The artist eschews overt narrative or figurative representation, instead inviting a contemplative experience through chromatic nuance and precise spatial arrangement. The careful layering of oil paint creates a rich, textured surface, visible upon close inspection, which absorbs and reflects light in subtle ways, enhancing the work's atmospheric quality and depth. The two vivid blue circles are not merely geometric shapes; they resonate with an inner luminosity, suggesting a spiritual dimension or an essence distilled from the surrounding darkness, a quiet affirmation of presence. This painting offers a profound encounter with color, transforming the canvas into a field of pure visual sensation and introspective thought, a hallmark of Vago’s mature oeuvre. It stands as a testament to his ability to evoke profound emotion and contemplation through the most minimal means, making it a significant acquisition for any discerning collection.

Medium
Oil on canvas
Year
1992
Seen at
Martini Studio d'Arte

Related themes

Dark Palette, Black And Indigo, Atmospheric Work, Lyrical Abstraction, Minimalist, Male Artist, Meditative, Light and Space, Italian Artist, Oil On Canvas, Color Field, Blue Tones, Chromatic Painting, Geometric Abstraction, Non Figurative, Large Format, Contemplative Art, Circle Motif, Textured Surface, Spatial Composition, Abstract, Contemporary