Rodrigo Mateo [NRP 2021] : Study for Dionysus, draped mannequin, 2021.
SAL record control number: 111729 ;
Record level: Item ;
Record type: Movable work ;
Title: Study for Dionysus, draped mannequin [from curator] ;
Alternate work titles:
2021 : Study for Dionysus, draped mannequin [from curator] ;
Work date: 2021 [from artist] ;
Work creator: Rodrigo Mateo [NRP 2021] ;
Work medium: Oil on linen ;
Work dimensions: 11 x 8 inches [unframed] | 14 x 10-3/4 x 1 inches [framed] ;
Inscribed / signed front:
Location: At lower right.
Dated?: No.
Text: ‘MATEO’.
Verso: [none] ;
SAL category: Oil ;
SAL sub-category: Still-life ;
Archives of American Art subjects:
Description of work:
I have chosen the Apollonian and Dionysian juxtaposition to represent an allegory of knowledge contrasted with experience. With knowledge, the danger is to value it for its own sake without setting it forth in the world and applying it in a practical way. Theories abound and seem sound when living in the abstract but can quickly muddle when exposed to real world experiences.
A follower of Apollo, the personification of rational thinking and order is found holding a lyre to imply harmony. She wears a laurel crown and a young sapling grows behind her symbolizing potential. The iris flower growing under the tree stands for wisdom. The landscape is orderly and the figure has a light easy step to emphasize her grace and clarity of intention.
On the right panel, the figure exudes vigor and vitality. She dances and raises her staff with a pinecone symbolizing regeneration and marking her as a follower of Dionysus. Her gesture implies movement and action. She does not stay still but goes forth into the world. The ground beneath her is lush and plants grow in all directions to emphasize her vigor. The young fir sapling bends with her to accompany in her merriment; a grape vine wrapping around its trunk.
The Dionysian figure rushes ahead with no plan or thought, reacting to her emotions which can quickly lead to folly. The Salmagundi Library is a depository of knowledge for future generations to take advantage of. The panels would remind the visitor to value knowledge but not at the expense of experience.
Provenance:
2021 Rodrigo Mateo [NRP 2021], the artist .
Exhibition history:
2021 SCNY Allegory today : the library commission November 8-19.
References / citations:
Notes:
– $900 USD
Document information
Document permalink:
http://salmagundi.org/artwork/?p=111729
Digital-born document number:
SAL.2021.111729
Record birth date:
November 4, 2021
Last updated: November 10, 2021 at 11:59 am