Anthony Mastromatteo
Felix Culpa, or Must be a Woe - trompe l'oeil oil painting
2005

Name: Felix Culpa, or Must be a Woe - trompe l'oeil oil painting
Brand: Anthony Mastromatteo
Price: 12400 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

Continuing his affinity for Malevich’s geometric paragon is Felix Culpa or ‘Must be a Woe,” this time, in red. Three red squares hover above Christ suffering on the cross—one of the most recognizable images in art history—yet here, no wooden cross is in sight. Christ simply floats against a white wall. The three “Red Squares” map the edges of the invisible crucifix, and an old violin, a vessel for creative expression, reaches upside-down, forming the end of the (invisible) holy wooden structure. Mastromatteo provides the schematic for the symbol he knows we will form in our mind. The canvas is bisected in two, where a jigsaw-puzzle seems to have taken shape—Mastromatteo’s way of showing us that the violin exists on another spatial plane from the top of the canvas. However, there doesn’t seem to be room for the violin underneath this puzzle—poking a little fun at the flatness of Modernism. The color red finds its way from the Suprematist squares to the edge of the puzzle intercepted by the violin. The red puzzle piece turns into dripping blood. We look back to the red squares and see the three bloody stigmata instead of an ode to Modernism. This composition has less to do with religion than it does with the aesthetic struggle of a creative. The “religious verbiage”—as Mastromatteo puts it—is one way of explaining this struggle. The title must not be forgotten when meditating on this painting: Felix Culpa, or ‘Must be a Woe.’ The first part is the latin for “happy fault.” The second, the title of an Emily Dickinson poem: Must be a Woe— A loss or so— To bend the eye Best Beauty's way— But—once aslant It notes Delight As difficult As Stalactite A Common Bliss Were had for less— The price—is Even as the Grace— Our lord—thought no Extravagance To pay—a Cross- Both the “happy fault,” and the “Woe,” force us to look at something so familiar with different eyes. This is the artist’s job, and job well done—to help us see anew something we all think we know. Contact for framed dimensions Artist Bio The arts have been an integral part of Anthony Mastromatteo’s life for over 25 years. A Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Princeton University in 1992 led to a five year position at Christie’s auction house in New York City in the American Paintings, 19th Century Paintings and Maritime Paintings and Objects departments. As his exposure to the art world expanded he began studying the practice of art after work at the Art Student’s League in New York City. In 1997 he made the transition to full-time art study at the Water Street Atelier, a school of art practice based on the methodology of the French Academy and the French atelier system of the 18th and 19th centuries, under the tutelage of Jacob Collins. In 2002 he finished his studies and made the transition to working as a professional artist. He has worked solely as an artist since that time. He currently has representation with galleries in New York City, Los Angeles and Cleveland. Anthony resides with his wife and daughter, Stella and Alba, in Akron, Ohio. Mastromatteo specializes in hyperrealistic and trompe l'oeil oil paintings. His highly intellectual perspective attracts art collectors of the keenest eye. Please inquire for commissions.

Creator:

Anthony Mastromatteo (1970, American)

Creation Year:

2005

Dimensions:

Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)

Medium:

Panel,Oil

Movement & Style:

Realist

Period:

21st Century