I can’t remember my first contact with Agostino’s painting. It feels it was not too long after I recognized William Blake, Gustave Moreau and Jean Delville as those, whose art whispered to me in a secret, yet strangely familiar way.  Like if as a thousand years old soul found some lost pieces of its ancient world , with all its spells and sacred gardens. Probably more than 10 years ago. Relief and excitement, that those realms still exists somewhere.

So before I even knew I will move one day to Italy or I had any interest in contemporary italian painting, Agostino’s art was already a thing to me.  Captivating, sincere and seemingly introvert, for sure different than tendencies we observe now in visual art – with all those calculated, grotesque load of disgust and simulated shock effect.  In this screaming reality of pop, cynical and auto ironical art market it is a rare phenomena to meet again craftmanship with some twist of mysticism and dedication. I am not as radical as those words might be, but maybe words are not radical enough ? There is a largely celebrated gap between us and pre-modernism artists. There are painters like Arrivabene, who are one of a few, lost in time, challenging in definition, leaving less space for curators to shine.

Pallazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara opened its halls on 16th of July 2023 to host representative, almost biographic collection of artist’s paintings and objects in mixed media. Finally I had an opportunity to compare my idea of Agostino’s artworks with their real radiance. Lucky enough to be let in during half official opening ( grazie, maestro,per avermi risposto ! )  right into three colorful but shady rooms. Carefully planned exposure of a paintings  felt a bit like a sanctuary or royal burial chambers (  egyptian heat of 38 degrees outside) , with a pharaoh that day -  alive, laughing and disponibile, in person. Agostino guided us in his treasury, talking about literary and personal inspirations. Surprisingly, not really looking like a hermit out of this mortal coil, but absolutely present, handsome man in casual black. He wore  something that reminded a tear enchanted into precious gemstone;  pearl pendant swinging on his chest. Kind of unforgettable detail that decorates the moment.

Watching those artworks live might be for many multi sensual encounter. Artist’s pietism  in depicting anatomical and botanical details is uncanny – transgress limits of a painting itself, teases our sight just to disturb in a while. Tension between what seem to be natural and supernatural is one of the strongest artistic devices in Arrivabene’s work. Worth to mention – artist never uses simple photographic references to create –we won’t find tacky, plain “realism” – its not a quality of Agostino’s brilliant technique. His brush dutifully follows original ideas and imagination, building up an authentic, inner sceneries. This ability is something that distinguishes ontological artist from everybody else.  

Also non obvious symbolism plays an important role -  flowers and untamed vegetation, that for artist in many cases have pejorative meaning of a parasite like forces or illnesses. Plants are belonging to a circle of life – having fluid forms that pulsate with blood.  They grow out of human skin, out of solid rocks, out of unconscious fears and fantasies. Wild flowers from Agostino’s paintings are almost alien- like, extraterrestrial invaders that burst apart everything on their way.   

 What charmed me most is Agostino’s understanding and execution of light in his paintings. Its always some kind of metaphisical blast that comes from inside, but tangible thanks to a paint, wax and gold leafs. Sometimes spread out into a spectrum, sometimes in a form of a rain drops, light is a divine touch that speaks out divine presence. For this very specific reason, those paintings are like a stained glass window in a mediaeval cathedral. It’s a reminder of a spiritual roots of any art before us – and how odd , confusing it feels today. Passing through landscapes of heaven and hell with Agostino it is just unearthly as it could be.

I encourage You to get carried away – it’s a sort of an event without precedence. Like rare flower from Agostino’s vision, that blooms only once - exhibition is open until first day of October, 2023.