A personal study of Catalan Romanesque painting
This project developed from a close study of Catalan Romanesque painting, particularly mural paintings and works on wooden panels from the 12th and 13th centuries. It began with direct research in the collections of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) in Barcelona and at other sites in Catalonia, followed by drawings and studies made from the original works.
The project grew out of my recognition of affinities between Romanesque painting and aspects already present in my own work: the reduction and geometrisation of form, strong outlines, limited palettes, contrasting colours and compositions organised through clear structural relationships.
The material dimension was equally important. I worked with traditional materials and techniques including egg tempera, natural pigments, casein and gum arabic, using preparations intended to establish a direct material relationship with historical painting practices rather than simply reproduce their appearance.
This research also has a personal connection with my family background. I come from a family with a long tradition in mural painting, and I learned traditional techniques from my father, Giancarlo Spozio, whose work has included fresco painting and the transfer of murals for conservation.
The drawings made during the initial research period were subsequently reworked into a series of autonomous paintings. Rather than reproducing the Romanesque originals, the project used them as a starting point for a contemporary process of transformation.
Research and development
November–December 2018 — Direct study of Romanesque paintings and preparation of drawings from original works
January 2019–April 2020 — Development of the drawings and creation of the final series of paintings
