3. The overused comparison between Caravaggio and realist painters does not really suit
Luigi Benedicenti. It is somewhat reductive to confine the historical horizon only to a
sole artist, even of such skillfulness as the Lombard master. The work of Benedicenti
is deeply rooted in the still-life tradition that sprouted in Europe in the late XVI century,
embodied by such masters as Bosschaert the Elder and Bruegel the Elder, whose
accurately descriptive paintings were often employed for scientific purposes. Such
naturalism reached its apogee during the XVII century in Rome and Naples with painters
as Pietro Paolo Bonzi, Giovan Battista Ruoppolo or Giuseppe Recco specialised in
the production of lavish still-lives, swarming with groceries, bovine carcasses, game,
shining fish and iridescent shellfish of unusual shape.
Notwithstanding Luigi Benedicenti has a strong independent personality which cannot
be fully explained through the prism of his precursors. After having deeply meditated on
their works, absorbed the symbolic value, Luigi moved away from this genre. He came
up with a completely new style, what the critic Claudio Malberti defined as ‘Realismo
Estremo’ or ‘Extreme Realism’. Benedicenti replaces the fish and meat that used to
decorate the dining rooms of the leisure class with contemporary Italian patisserie,
ice cream and classy drinks. However the change in subject matter is not the only
innovation introduced by Benedicenti. Luigi is a son of our times and as such he uses
all the technical means at his disposal. The strong artificial lights utilized during the early
stages of his paintings allow him to get the essence of the subject depicted and convey
the same sensorial feelings that the object would produce in real life. Benedicenti’s style
– clear, immediate, shiny of multicoloured reflections – is the result of years of intense
study and tireless practice.
LUIGI BENEDICENTI
Dolci Pensieri
26. 10 Ciliegie oil on panel 85 x 85 cm (35 x 35 in)
Please note that this painting has been donated by the artist to the Royal Brompton and Harefield
Hospitals Charity and will be auctioned at a Gala Dinner to be held on Thursday 20th March at
the Guildhall, London. Bids prior to the Gala Dinner should be submitted direct to the Charity
www.rbhcharity.org T: 020 7351 8613
The Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity supports the ground-breaking work of two
specialist hospitals in their fight against heart and lung disease, two of the world’s biggest killers.
The Charity supports the hospitals by buying equipment, funding vital research and improving the
lives of patients with complex heart and lung conditions.
The hospitals remain pioneers and world-class centres for the diagnosis, treatment and care of
heart and lung patients as a result of the extra funding that the Charity can provide for carefully
selected projects.
The Charity’s current focus is to raise £4.5m to build and equip a state-of-the-art hybrid operating
theatre, which will revolutionise heart operations at Royal Brompton Hospital. The fundraising
focal point of the campaign will be a Gala Dinner to be held on Thursday 20th March 2014 at the
Guildhall, London. 440 VIP guests will join the Charity for cocktails in the Crypt followed by dinner
in The Great Hall.
If you would like to support the work of the Charity or purchase tickets for the Gala Dinner please
contact the Charity on: 020 7351 8613.
27.
28. 11 Éclair oil on panel 60 x 110 cm (24 x 43 in)
Please note: Unfortunately this painting was still in progress at the time of printing.
Illustrated opposite is the photograph from which the work was painted.
The original finished painting will be exhibited in the show and can also be viewed online www.albemarlegallery.com
