Alberto Burri

Roma, Studio d'Arte Campaiola, Burri, 1989
Nizza, Galerie Sapone, I Cellotex nell'autobiografia di Burri, a cura di Maurizio Calvesi, 2006, illustrato

Fondazione Palazzo Albizzini, Burri, contributi al catalogo sistematico, Città di Castello 1990, p. 460, n. 1981, illustrato

This work is in very good condition. The tonality is slightly warmer compared to the catalogue illustration. There are 2 tiny retouching by the lower left corner.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"(...) Dalle materie naturali è passato alle artificiali. Tela, legno, ferro erano materie vissute, avevano una genesi e una storia; per quanto degradate, conservavano un residuo dell'originaria energia creativa. La rigenerazione era drammatica, ma ancora nell'ordine delle cose. Le materie sintetiche non hanno mai avuto una forma, le macchine le producono come quantità pura, senza qualità. Con esse non c'è più conflitto, ma antitesi: solo un processo insieme logico e assurdo può convertire la quantità in qualità. Il mondo procede verso la quantificazione totale, Burri in senso inverso. Non loda il Signore per sora Plastica e frate Cellotex, non scorge nell'industria petrolchimica il dito della provvidenza: per forza d'antitesi la sua forma diventa tanto più tersa ed astratta, più spirituale, quanto più è amorfa, quantitativa la materia."

"(...) he went from natural materials to artificial ones. Canvas, wood, iron had their time, they had a Genesis and a history; as degraded as they can be, they maintain an ever lasting original creative energy. The renewal was dramatic but still part of the process. Synthetic materials never had a shape, they get produced in great quantities with no respect of their quality. The artist feels that there is no conflict with them but antithesis: only through a logical and yet absurd process, quantity can be turned into quality. While the world proceeds towards a total concept of quantity, Burri goes towards the opposite direction. He does not thank Sister Plastic and brother Cellotex, he does not foresee in the Petrol chemical Industry a sort of providence; thanks to his process of antithesis his style becomes more tense, abstract, spiritual  as the material utilized is more amorphous and  produced in great quantities.

Giulio Carlo Argan, Sora Plastica e frate Cellotex, in catalogo della mostra Alberto Burri, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Roma 1976, p.27