In the piece ‘Derelitta (Study for Monday),’ Camille Henrot takes inspiration from the 15th-century painting ‘La Derelitta,’ attributed to Sandro Botticelli, Masaccio, L'Amicodi Sandro, and Filippino Lippi. Henrot was initially attracted to the painting because its meaning and origins remain mysterious to this day. Henrot incorporates influences from baroque sculpture, reflecting the prevailing trend of creating copies of antiques and crafting smaller models in various materials before embarking on larger sculptures. For this work’s original presentation in Luna di Latte at Museo Madre (2016), she aimed to reconstruct the essence of the Renaissance artist's atelier. This endeavor was driven by her desire to harness the potent qualities of trompe l'oeil and illusion, ultimately enhancing the overall artistic experience.
About the artist
Camille Henrot is recognized as one of the most influential voices in contemporary art today. Over the past twenty years, she has developed a critically acclaimed practice encompassing drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and film, which is informed by a playful research process. Inspired by literature, second-hand marketplaces, poetry, cartoons, social media and self-help culture, Henrot’s work captures the complexity of living as both private individuals and global citizens in an increasingly over-stimulated world.
Artwork images © ADAGP Camille Henrot. Photos: Amedeo Benestante
Portrait of Camille Henrot, 2019. Photo: Maria Fonti