Gazing upon “Dinámica del viento”, do you feel the wind’s invisible dance? This 1915 drawing by Emilio Pettoruti is more than just lines on paper. It is a portal to a world of abstract energy.
“Dinámica del viento” translates to “Dynamics of the Wind”. Pettoruti masterfully captures the sensation of movement. He does this in a way that transcends mere representation.
Emilio Pettoruti created “Dinámica del viento” as part of a series. These abstract charcoal drawings were made in Europe between 1914 and 1916. Other works in this series include “Force centripete”, “Espansione dinamica”, and “Movimiento nello spazio”.
These works link to the explorations of the Futurists. These artists were preoccupied with spatial dynamics. Pettoruti engaged with them in Florence.
To truly grasp “Dinámica del viento”, consider Pettoruti’s journey to abstraction. According to Marcelo Pacheco, he worked “directly [on] the sensation of dynamics in abstract space”. This was not about observing a moving object in real space. It was about studying the force and expansion of energy. He sought to capture it in a continuous space-time without needing a material form.
Pettoruti also meticulously analyzed the works of Renaissance masters. He reinterpreted their formal and compositional principles. This was an unusual approach to learning. He wasn’t simply copying.
In “Dinámica del viento”, the forms shed any figurative constraints. They interpenetrate each other. They are juxtaposed. They become transparent in a monochrome tonal play of light.
They originate from different axes. They move toward multiple directions. They behave like beams of immaterial light and shadow. Through the strokes of his pencil, Pettoruti effectively conveys the sensation of movement. He achieves this in an abstract work. It reduces reality to lines of force.
The Argentinian state acquired “Dinámica del viento” from the Witcomb Gallery in Buenos Aires in 1914. It has been part of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes collection since that year.
So next time you look at “Dinámica del viento”, remember it is not just a drawing. It is an exploration of energy. It is a study of movement. It is a testament to Pettoruti’s unique vision.