• Roberto de Pinto

Ostinato

Ostinato does not simply mean persevering, tireless, stubborn, tenacious, resolute, firm, headstrong, pig-headed, obstinate, and many other similar adjectives. In music, the ostinato is a recurring, constant motif that is insistently repeated, over which a series of variations are then layered. Interestingly, in some cases it is described as a “musical design” intended to create an effect of stillness and, at the same time, a sense of separation from the other parts—especially from the melody. This image perfectly suits the work of Roberto de Pinto. From the very beginning of his career, everything has revolved around the depiction of what we might define as the artist’s alter ego: a recurring and constant figure that, each time, is rendered in ever new and sometimes surprising ways. These are not self-portraits; the bodies and faces we see are true characters, deeply influenced by the artist’s own features but later becoming independent, almost like figures from a novel or a Pirandello play.

Moreover, in a way, painting in de Pinto’s hands becomes a tool for inquiry and experimentation with identity, inevitably evolving as it intertwines with his life. This exhibition is clear evidence of that: compared to the works of recent years—more graphic and strongly tied to line and drawing—we are now faced with more painterly and complex works, characterized by numerous material nuances achieved by increasing the use of oil paint in contrast to his more customary stylistic signature based on encaustic (which is still very present), through which he achieves striking skin-like effects. In addition to these paintings, a surprise: a series of works that will certainly open a new path in the artist’s journey.

Antonio Grulli