Tribute to De Gregori

Coloured Pencil and Ink Pen on Paper

60×40 cm / 23.6×15.7 in, 2019

Not available

When working on Tribute to De Gregori, I was undecided between a younger image and a more recent one.

In the end, I chose De Gregori with glasses, beard, and hat, because it seemed the most recognizable image and the most suitable for a calligram. Francesco De Gregori is one of Italy’s best-known singer-songwriters, and in a portrait built through words, details cannot be rendered in the same way. I needed a few strong elements that could immediately support the likeness.

I wanted to convey the image of “Il Principe”, the most elusive and enigmatic songwriter among those I have portrayed. For this reason, the work relies on a few essential elements, allowing the glasses, beard, hat, and words to build his presence.