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Notes
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The blue bus on the painting’s right side, known as the ‘corriera’, was a traditional Italian mail delivery, which made the rounds every day to small, isolated villages. Its arrival typically caused excitement and chaos among villagers, eagerly awaiting news. Thus, the ‘corriera’ served as the primary messenger, paralleling, as depicted in this painting, Christ’s role as the divine messenger – bringing God’s plan to all mankind. In the painting, Christ is depicted as a superior figure, surrounded by all-imposing angels, underscoring his role as the divine messenger, offering spiritual enlightenment, guidance and salvation to humanity. However, a strange duality emerges. Despite Christ’s dominance on the canvas, his presence appears unnoticed, especially compared to the attention-grabbing postman, representing societal communication.
Title
Cristo e la Corriera
Date
1952–1953
Medium
oil on board
Measurements
H 125.7 x W 105.4 cm
Accession number
95
Work type
Painting