at the back: signature, date, personal dedication.

PROVENANCE
Bucchi collection, Rome.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
B. Corà, C. Sarteanesi, Burri. General catalogue. Painting 1979-1994, Città di Castello 2016, vol. III, p. 70, no. 1680; Chronological directory 1945-1994, vol. VI, p. 232, i.7910

"This Cellotex, a work by Alberto Burri registered at no. 1212 of the first catalog of the artist's work (Burri. Contributions to the Systematic Catalogue, edition edited by the artist, introductory note by Nemo Sarteanesi, 1990), measures 70 cm. x 100, and is signed and dated “Burri 79”.
It is a painting in acrylic and vinavil colors on cellotex, a technique experimented by Burri in his mature years, after the fruitful experience of the cretti: a new need to work on abstract forms, a renewed interest in color and chromatic agreements, which dates back to the studies of the impressionists and post-impressionists on the theory of vision.
In particular, this work combines shades of black (matt black, glossy black, satin black) and an almost organic, bright red shape. The cellotex has the dedication on the back: "To Anita and Franco on the occasion of their wedding". This dedication was written when the work was given to Burri's niece, Anita Bucchi (Rome, 1949 - 2004).
Bucchi, choreographer and dancer, married in January 1985, and it was probably this chromatic tension that made her prefer Cellotex to a cretto, initially offered as a gift.
To understand the deep family bond between the recipients of the work and the artist, we need to take a step back. The Burri family was of Marche origin; Burri's mother, however, was from Città di Castello. Her name was Caterina Torregiani, and Anita's father.
Annibale Bucchi (1888-1971) was his cousin. Annibale was a very talented pupil of Ottorino Respighi. A composer himself, he took the stage alongside Mascagni and Toscanini.
In 1946, when he returned from the prison camp in Texas (he had been interned by the Americans as a member of the R.S.I.), Burri decided that he would no longer practice the profession of doctor. In the United States he approached artistic practice with his first experiences in wood carving and painting. After returning to Città di Castello, Burri experienced a few months of restlessness. Hannibal decided to host his cousin
in the large apartment where he lived alone, in Lungotevere Prati in Rome.
At the origin of the story of Burri the artist there is therefore an important family and emotional relationship. Alberto Burri stayed with his cousin for about two years before taking up a studio in via Margutta with the sculptor Edgardo Mannucci (1904-1986), a little-known artist today. Shortly afterwards Burri formed the Gruppo Origine with Mario Ballocco, Giuseppe Capogrossi, Ettore Colla, obtaining his first recognitions. In the 1950s, Annibale
Bucchi dedicated a score to his artist cousin, and throughout his life the artist had a relationship of filial affection towards Anita."

We thank Andrea Iezzi for his contribution in drafting the sheet