Dance of light and color in Lara’s faces

by Sister Maria Gloria Riva

Lara Leonardi's paintings are a kaleidoscope of color. Layers of color with an abundance of light similar to the paintings of Gauguin, but boasting total fidelity to the subject of the portrait and respect for form. A unique blend of realism and abstract expressionism.

It is not easy for a contemporary artist - in a climate and landscape dominated by intellectual abstract art - to propose a style anchored in the desires of the Creator, yet, at the same time, embodying an original look for modern art.

If you casually walk in front of Lara Leonardi's paintings, the subject of the portrait does not capture you immediately. The first impact is from the light and the pulsating colors. The second impact is that you become aware that the works-of-art are portraits.

The titles are clear and simple: "L'uomo innamorato - The Man In Love", "Alberto racconta - Alberto Tells a Story", etc. Her portraits carefully investigate the appearance of the subject while faithfully preserving their character and psychological characteristics. Simultaneously, however, everything is transformed by large fields of color.

They are often primary colors in violent juxtaposition with carefree but desired randomness, but only giving the impression of being whimsical and bizarre. In reality, however, she uses her extraordinary intuition to determine the shape of the plane of the face, the specific part of the body over which the light scurries freely and with creativity, while, however, being faithful to the form.

Truth is perceived through the refraction of light that gives off the many colors of its spectrum, flowing together and forming the visible contours on the face. Although every person who has been a subject of Leonardi's portraits is absolutely identifiable, each face is transformed by her layering of light, creating an Episode of Eternity... Mystery.

The title of the Meeting, "And Existence Becomes an Immense Certainty" which will host Lara Leonardi's exhibition, is also very effective and expresses the deep meaning of the work of the artist from Livorno. Lara's art really expresses; the certainty of existence, the human form as desired by the Creator in its profound beauty and harmony, a parable of light and color. All you need are eyes to see and the sensitive heart of an artist to translate the human form into art.

Then, as a result, existence becomes the proof, the certainty that we are being summoned to share the inheritance of the Saints in light, to share in the dance of color and harmony of the One who made you, who made us.