Lovely Bones

The collection of skulls and bones of animals, integral parts of the "room of wonders" of the sixteenth century, has its origins in Roman times; the story tells that Augustus in his villa in Capri conserved alongside the works of art, the bones of prehistoric animals that people believed "bones of giants"; from here followed through the centuries numerous collections motivated by scientific curiosity, desire to impress or just to be enchanted. The passion and fascination for "naturalia" remains even today, hence the idea of recreating a new Wunderkammer, including real bones and skulls and their artistic reinterpretations.
The work of Anna Cirillo young Tuscan painter starts from here, transposing in painting, on precious funds of gold silver and red of Pompeii, ox skulls skeletons of animals and hunting trophies. In counterpoint is the work of Momina Muhamamad, Pakistan artist, who chooses instead the bones of animals as a surface for his paintings; the roughness and surface irregularities contrast with the sophistication and elegance of the figures portrayed, shooting from tradition Pakistani miniaturist.
Instead linked to the tradition of the "Danse Macabre" are two interesting works by Maurizio Bottoni, who chooses to portray Death complete with a scythe and to dedicate, not without a good dose of irony, a painting to a skeleton inside the pit: more than a "fascinating dream burial" seems in fact to refer to the phrase of De Lisle: "Think of what life was and rest ...".