‘Metamorphosis’: Italian painter Francesca Grimaldi’s abstractions harmonise hues with music

As a child, Francesca Amalia Grimaldi grew up listening to music and watching her father paint; he was also a pianist-violinist. Today, her exhibition of paintings is on display in the Indian capital, synthesising her sensibilities around colours and melodies. (Source: PR Handout)

Francesca's debut show in the country features 32 of her latest works, predominantly graced by shades of blue. However, the February 23 to 27 exhibition titled 'Metamorphosis' abounds in other hues as well: sunshine-yellow, greens, and a whole range of mellow shades. All of them exude a spirit of resonance, according to author-scholar Uma Nair, who has curated the five-day event at LTC, Bikaner House, hosted by Masha Art with its flagship store at Taj Mansingh. (Source: PR Handout)

Crucially, the series profiles a selection of the artist’s paintings from 2020 until this year. This period also unveils Francesca’s style, which has evolved recently due to her stay in India for the past 18 months. "My works have stylistic leaps," says Francesca. "These moments are in tune with my nature and personal history. My life's experiences—be them professional, personal, or artistic—have evolved through a set of sequences."(Source: PR Handout)

While these standalone works define her latest tryst with time, the paintings at 'Metamorphosis' carry a second element. That is about the "precision of curves in a maze," Francesca notes. "These two come in this new series." (Source: PR Handout)

Italian Ambassador to India Vincenzo De Luca while addressing the gathering at 'Metamorphosis', likened the show to a "journey from Italy to India" with a chorus of yellow, green, and most strikingly blue. "I found the little texts a perfect prelude to the artist’s works. I wish to say, Thank you from Italy." (Source: PR Handout)

Besides Goa, Ladakh features in the artist’s works. Inspired by her travels in the Himalayan Mountains of northern India, Francesca noticed that the high mountains stood in sharp contrast to the plains of the country’s south. (Source: PR Handout)

Francesca, a trained geologist, developed a passion for art history and nature, leading her to create figurative works. Into the early 1990s, her course at Accademia Riaci in Florence helped Francesca refine and deepen her studies in perspective drawing, painting techniques, and jewellery design. (Source: PR Handout)

She prefers mixed-media techniques on canvas, using oils, acrylics, watercolours, soft pastels, and oil pastels. (Source: PR Handout)

'Metamorphosis' is her 34th exhibition, starting from 1987. The show is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Source: PR Handout)

Masha is a prominent art investment firm with a portfolio of over 5,000 curated artworks and sculptures representing modern as well as contemporary artists. (Source: PR Handout)