Original artwork description:

Not Mr. Darcy delves into the emotional disillusionment of realising that the idealised image of Mr. Darcy—the romantic figure I had cherished for so long—was an illusion. Inspired by de Chirico's surrealist style, this painting draws its inspiration from his Love Song, where the cold, surreal spaces evoke a profound sense of isolation, and the contrasting elements heighten the tension between reality and longing. In my own piece, Latina's stark, oppressive architecture forms the backdrop, embodying the emotional void and the collapse of a once-cherished ideal.

At the heart of the painting is the testa di moro (Moor's head), an iconic symbol of Sicilian identity. In this context, it represents the emotional weight of betrayal and the painful disconnect between who I believed the person to be and the reality of the relationship. The lemon, a symbol that appears throughout my work, takes on a new role here, serving as a beacon of hope amidst disillusionment. After everything had fallen apart, the lemon became my symbol of renewal: a source of strength, a connection to Sicily, and a reminder that no matter the depth of loss, there is always the possibility of growth and rebirth.

Latina, with its cold architecture and brutalist features, becomes more than just a setting—it acts as a metaphor for the emotional confinement and collapse of the ideal I once held. This work is not just about the end of a relationship but about the painful journey of reclaiming personal power and identity. The lemon represents my rebirth, my resolve to return to Sicily and find my true home, where I can finally feel whole again.

In paying homage to de Chirico’s Love Song, Not Mr. Darcy is a surreal meditation on the tension between love, loss, and personal liberation. It’s about shedding old expectations and embracing the possibility of a future shaped by my terms, with the quiet yet powerful symbol of the lemon as the centrepiece of renewal.

Original oil painting.
The photo's colours might be slightly different from the original painting.
I signed the painting from the front.
The artwork has a hanging system allowing it to be fixed on a wall, sides are painted.
Careful and safe packaging.
Ready to ship.

Materials used:

Oil on canvas

Tags:

#red #blue #yellow #surrealism #love #perspective #italy #lemon #ceramic #italian #sicily #brutal architecture #minimailsim #dechirico