“Fiori autunnali”, Carlo Levi (1902-1975)
(This postcard is part of a vast collection. An artist amassed it over sixty years ago and stored it in a wooden box).
Carlo Levi (1902–1975) was an Italian painter, writer, physician, activist, and anti-fascist.
He is born in Turin, Italy, to a wealthy Jewish family. He studied medicine at the University of Turin, graduating in 1924. Yet, he soon turned his attention to painting, becoming part of the “Gruppo dei Sei” (Group of Six). This group of artists from Turin were among the first exponents of the Italian modern art movement.
Levi’s anti-fascist activities led to his arrest and confinement in 1935. In 1936, he was sentenced to internal exile (confino) in Grassano. Later, he was sent to Aliano, remote villages in Lucania, a region in southern Italy.
This experience had a profound impact on him. It became the topic of his most famous book, Christ Stopped at Eboli. The book was published in 1945. In the book, Levi vividly describes the harsh conditions, poverty, and isolation of the peasants in Lucania. He expresses his solidarity with them.
Despite the hardships of exile, Levi continued to paint, capturing the landscapes and people of Lucania in his distinctive style. His paintings from this period often show the themes of his writing. They depict the struggles of the rural poor. They also show their resilience.
Lucania, also called Basilicata, was historically one of the poorest regions of the impoverished Italian south.
“The problem of the South”
Levi’s lucid, non-ideological and sympathetic description depicted the daily hardships experienced by the local peasants. This account helped propel the “Problem of the South” into national discourse after the end of World War II.
After his release in 1939, Levi returned to Turin and resumed his artistic and literary activities.
He remained active in politics, contributing articles to anti-fascist publications. After the war, he continued to write and paint, and also served as a deputy in the Italian Parliament.
Levi’s artistic style is characterized by its expressionistic use of color and form. His paintings often feature bold outlines, flattened perspectives, and symbolic imagery.
His work was influenced by modern art movements. Despite this, it remained deeply rooted in his personal experiences. It was also rooted in his connection to the Italian landscape and its people.
Carlo Levi’s legacy rests on his contributions to both literature and art. His writings and paintings offer a powerful testimony to the human spirit. They show resilience in the face of oppression and injustice. His works continue to resonate with their passionate advocacy for social justice and human dignity.
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