Maurizio Cattelan

Acquired directly from the artist

Prague Biennale, Expanded Painting, May - September 2005

This work appears in fair condition overall. There are scattered light surface abrasion and areas of fine craquelure. There are also scattered areas of craquelure and associated pinpoint spot losses around the cuts in the canvas. There is evidence of inpainting and restoration at the ends of each cut, visible under normal light conditions as well as under ultra violet light. There is an area of impact craquelure with a 4 inch diameter located 7 ½ inches from the top edge and 7 inches from the left edge. There are two spot losses as follows: the first is located 17 ¾ inches from the left edge along the bottom edge along the bottom edge; the second is located 2 ¾ inches from the left edge along the top edge. There are a few small scattered impressions in the surface of the canvas. Unframed.
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Often referred to as the "contemporary art prankster," Maurizio Cattelan explores different artistic tropes that are consciously infused with a comedic and ironic tone. Untitled (Zorro), from 1995, demonstrates one of the artist's most prominent motifs; the idea of creative theft. In the present work, the artist assumes the identity of Zorro, the popular comic character that fought the Spanish occupation of California in the 20th century, who often used theft as a means to bring justice. Cattelan, like Zorro, acts precisely and quickly, deftly swiping at his enemy with the edge of a sword. The victim in effigy of Cattelan's sliced canvas are the works by his master and compatriot, Lucio Fontana, who is most well known for his radical slashes to painted canvas. While Fontana's slashes are both philosophical and conceptual, Cattelan's slashes are a satirical comment on accepted dogmas and the concept of "high brow" art within the contemporary art world.