Gazing upon this imposing sculpture, what do you feel? Il Grande Grido Sculpture stands here in Milan’s Brera district. It is a gift from a Polish artist to this vibrant city. The artist is Igor Mitoraj.
The sculpture presents a fragment. It is a male bust cut at face height. Mitoraj references ancient Greece’s ideal beauty. However, he interprets it with a distant eye.
Note the bust’s interior. The heart is not there. Instead, a severe-looking head occupies that space. Look lower. At the ribs, a woman’s bust appears. It is crafted in classical style.
Mitoraj’s connection to classicism deepened after his 1979 trip to Italy. He saw the classical world as an archaeological treasure. He conveyed this in his mythical figures. They possess an alluring majesty.
He studied painting first. This was at the Kraków School of Art. He then went to the Kraków Academy of Art. A fascination with Latin American art pulled him to sculpture.
Marble became his material after a trip to Carrara in 1979. By 1983, he had a studio in Pietrasanta. In 2006, he designed bronze doors for a basilica in Rome. He also created a statue of John the Baptist.
Mitoraj’s style has classical roots. He focuses on well-formed torsos. He adds a postmodern touch. Limbs are truncated. This emphasizes the damage classical sculptures often bear.
Il Grande Grido Sculpture stands near Santa Maria del Carmine church. Some might miss it. It could seem forgotten. Yet, it is a masterpiece dating back to 1986. It is not accidental.
The sculpture invites contemplation. It blends classical forms with modern sensibilities. It questions our perception of beauty. It challenges us to see beyond perfection. What does Il Grande Grido Sculpture say to you?