Five by Tancredi
European or Abstract, Expressionism was all the rage in the 1950s when Mr. Dorso bought these outstanding examples of the form by Tancredi Parmeggiani (Lots 33-37). Only a few true believers might have predicted this genre would endure to become perhaps the most iconic style of the atomic age.
Peter loves Tancredi’s art because, like Pollock, it is uncompromisingly pure, raw expression. His works neither represent nor evoke nor symbolize a setting sun, a sad grandma, or a rainy day—nor it does it represent a sad grandma in a rainstorm against a setting sun. In these examples Tancredi manifests his emotions only through gesture, color, shape, and the physical properties of the paint itself.
Being pattern-seeking creatures, who can blame us for occasionally “seeing” recognizable forms in Tancredi’s work? For example, Lot 33 may stir within the mind’s eye impressions of the atom—or a supernova—or the Milky Way. This is Tancredi’s unique fantasia on Pollock’s famous drip technique. The warm and ominous “rainbow” background makes it Tancredi’s own.
Likewise, Lot 34 tempts us to imagine some large object hovering above an enormous mesa, even casting a shadow.
And Lots 35, 36, and 37 inevitably call to mind the cross-section of a cell—or the planet earth… or fertilized egg. As with formal meditation, the more one clears the mind, the more one leaves room for other thoughts to flood into the void. This is both the pleasure and the danger of surrendering to art that transcends symbols, transcends “meaning”.
Lot 33 Tancredi Parmeggiani (called Tancredi) Untitled c. 1955 Mixed media on board Board: 13.75″ x 19.75″; Frame 24″ x 29.75″ Estimate $8,000 – 12,000
Lot 34 Tancredi Parmeggiani (called Tancredi) Untitled c. 1955 Mixed media on paper Signed lower right Sheet 14″ x 19.5″; Frame 19.75″ x 25″ Estimate $8,000 – 12,000
Lot 35 Tancredi Parmeggiani (called Tancredi) Untitled c. 1955 Mixed media on paper Signed lower right Sheet: 13″ x 17.5″; Frame 14″ x 18.5″ Estimate $4,000 – 6,000
Lot 36 Tancredi Parmeggiani (called Tancredi) Untitled c. 1955 Mixed media on paper Signed lower right Sheet: 13″ x 17.5″; Frame 14″ x 18.5″ Estimate $4,000 – 6,000
Lot 37 Tancredi Parmeggiani (called Tancredi) Untitled c. 1955 Mixed media on paper Signed lower right Sheet: 13″ x 17.5″; Frame 14″ x 18.5″ Estimate $4,000 – 6,000
