Edmond Volponi

A LOVE STORY

Verba volant, they say. Far common mortals the word are rapidly diluted in the atmosphere. Far artists they transform into beautiful birds which, one day or another, come to rest in their imaginative repertoire and become reality. In this way a brief exchange of opinions and the proposal of an exhibition on the life of Saint Catherine of Siena, very Sienese and momentarily Avignonese, brought about the "Catherine" cycle which far some years has been inspiration for the artwork of Enzo Santini. At times one observes a relationship of power and tenderness between the painter and his heroin. Examining his paintings it is impossible to understand who the artist considers first; the woman and then the Saint, or vice versa. Apparently the artist holds her in rancour, and he expresses his anger crudely, far having invaded his childhood nightmares stemming from past imposed pilgrimages to San Domenico. The Sacred Head is an ultra realistic portrait of Catherine, her actual head has been exhibited there for centuries and the deformations that time has rendered have, far infantile minds, added an element of fear to their veneration. The nightmares no longer torment him, but Santini remembers this confrontation and speaks of it ferociously.

On the other hand, the artist is grateful to the Saint for having convinced the Pope to leave Avignon and return to Rome. He glorifies the meeting and happening with a composition that omits no details; the powerful citadel which the Pope is about to leave, the throne which must maintain its perenniality, the boarding of the boat which carried him away, (the voyage full of dangers was to render him fragile of health), the tonality of the skies of Provence so similar to the azure heavens of Tuscany, the serenity inspired by the Saint and the uneasy majesty of the Pope are all present. The "Catherine" cycle proceeds from contestation to approval, and the sensations expressed change from repulsion to love. Yes, a true love story can be traced between the painter and his subject. Enzo Santini's personality, both as a man and as an artist, is well summarised by this comportment. A master in his own field, constantly challenging it, eager in his research of performing new and diverse techniques and able in choosing the best method for the expression of his imagination, in inventing a contemporary language which he uses convincingly without having to alter its original allure. The "Catherine" cycle is only a part, but what a part! of works made up of captivating compositions where tormented persons, serene Tuscan landscapes, ferocious gladiators, implacable bulls and pitiless revolutionaries all appear in a cocktail of surrealism and fantasy. Graceful flowers spring here and there, sprouting from a contorted vase or, from a tightly locked bunch burst some sunflowers, in homage to Van Gogh reminding us that Tuscany and Provence are sisters, nourished by the same art of living and, more importantly for their painters, sharers the same light.

Enzo Santini operates with an ardent passion in his use of traditional painting (the encaustic painting technique originating from long gone times) in his lithographic art, and in his silk paintings used in his accomplishment of a Palio, and he is most able in his melding of the fixed Sienese idea of how this emblematic trophy for their traditional festivities should appear, with his own personal style. It has been said that culture is the only thing that remains once all else is forgotten. Passion, emotion, expressions of talent, these are all comparative. We receive and perceive only these qualities from an artist, all too often ignoring the patience, the ardour, the battles, the lacerations and the incomprehension involved in making them emerge. Enzo Santini's road to success has been marked incessantly by such trials. It is perhaps symbolic that Catherine of Siena, his fellow citizen of the past, his companion through these past years, is the incontestable discloser of artworks signed by a great deal work, considerable talent and so much love.