#02538 Filippo De Pisis

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fragmented and deconstructed style. Several objects are discernible: a cylindrical form resembling a spool or bobbin, a glass bottle, a piece of what appears to be fabric or paper, and a long, slender object that could be interpreted as a tool or decorative element. Numbers – 818 and 896 – are integrated into the scene, appearing both on the objects themselves and within the background texture.
The artists technique emphasizes angularity and sharp edges. Lines are not smooth but rather appear broken and hesitant, contributing to a sense of instability and visual disruption. The color palette is muted, dominated by earthy tones – ochre, brown, gray – with accents of red on the spool-like object and a dark spot on the fabric piece. This limited range reinforces the overall feeling of austerity and perhaps even melancholy.
The arrangement lacks traditional depth or perspective; objects seem to float within the space, flattened against the background. The numbers are particularly intriguing. Their presence suggests an underlying system or code, hinting at a possible industrial context or a commentary on categorization and labeling. They disrupt the naturalistic representation of the still life, introducing an element of abstraction and intellectual inquiry.
The fabric piece, with its single dark spot, draws attention to itself. It could be interpreted as a symbol of imperfection, loss, or perhaps even a concealed detail within a larger narrative. The bottles transparency allows for glimpses of what lies within, yet the contents remain ambiguous, adding to the painting’s enigmatic quality.
The overall effect is one of deliberate disorientation and fractured perception. It seems less about depicting objects realistically and more about exploring their inherent qualities – their form, texture, and relationship to a larger system of meaning – through a lens of fragmentation and abstraction. The work invites contemplation on themes of order versus chaos, representation versus reality, and the subjective nature of observation.