Acrilico No 13 1976 by Bice Lazzari
Acrilico No 13 · 1976
Bice Lazzari’s Abstract Language: The Geometry of Silence in Acrilico No 13
The 1970s marked a period of radical simplification for Bice Lazzari, as she distilled her visual vocabulary into essential forms. Acrilico No 13, painted in 1976, exemplifies this shift—a composition where muted ochres, soft blues, and delicate whites coalesce into a fragile equilibrium. Unlike her earlier, more gestural works, this piece abandons overt dynamism in favor of a quiet, almost meditative balance. The canvas becomes a field of subtle tensions, where each rectangular plane asserts its presence without dominating the whole.
Lazzari’s work from this era often defies easy categorization. While rooted in the abstract traditions of post-war Italy, Acrilico No 13 avoids the rigid dogmatism of movements like Concrete Art. Instead, it occupies a liminal space—geometric yet organic, precise yet open to interpretation. As the Tate notes, her later abstractions “reveal a sensitivity to light and surface that transcends pure formalism,” a quality palpable in the way the matte acrylic absorbs and reflects illumination. The painting’s restrained palette, devoid of primary colors, invites prolonged looking, rewarding the viewer with gradual revelations of texture and depth.
From Futurism to Fragile Abstraction: Lazzari’s Unconventional Path
Bice Lazzari’s career spanned six decades, beginning in the 1920s under the influence of Italian Futurism. By the 1950s, however, she had abandoned its machinic energy for a more introspective approach. Her participation in the Gruppo degli Otto (Group of Eight) alongside Afro Basaldella and Giuseppe Santomaso marked a turn toward lyrical abstraction, where emotion and structure coexisted. Yet even among her peers, Lazzari’s work stood apart for its understated elegance. While others embraced bold chromatic contrasts, she explored the poetic potential of near-monochrome palettes.
Acrilico No 13 emerges from this trajectory as a distillation of her mature style. The painting’s horizontal bands and floating rectangles eschew the aggressive spatial illusions of earlier modernism. Instead, they create what critic Maurizio Fagiolo dell’Arco described as “a silent architecture”—a composition where each element breathes without competing. This quiet radicalism aligns with Lazzari’s later reputation as a “painter’s painter,” admired for her ability to convey complexity through apparent simplicity.
Lazzari’s abstractions reject spectacle in favor of intimacy. Acrilico No 13 functions like a visual haiku—its power lies not in grand gestures but in the precision of its restraint.
The Craft Behind the Composition: How Acrilico No 13 Achieves Its Effect
Surface and Texture
Lazzari’s methodical layering of acrylic on raw canvas creates a surface that is neither entirely flat nor deeply textured. The paint’s matte finish absorbs light, softening the edges of her geometric forms. This technique, honed over decades, allows the colors in Acrilico No 13 to vibrate subtly against one another. The ochre rectangle at the center, for instance, appears to float above the pale ground not through illusionistic shading but through the careful calibration of tonal values.
Chromatic Harmony
The painting’s palette—dominated by off-whites, muted blues, and earthy ochres—demonstrates Lazzari’s mastery of limited chromatic ranges. She avoids primary colors entirely, instead working with tertiary hues that shift under different lighting conditions. The blue-gray band along the lower edge acts as an anchor, its cool temperature contrasting with the warmth of the central ochre. This interplay generates a quiet tension, a hallmark of her ability to create dynamic compositions without resorting to dramatic contrasts.
Own This Masterpiece of Italian Abstraction
Bring Bice Lazzari’s Acrilico No 13 into your space with our archival framed print. Each piece arrives ready to hang, with free worldwide shipping and a 30-day return guarantee.
Add to Cart — $24999Where to Display Acrilico No 13: A Curator’s Guide
The understated sophistication of Acrilico No 13 makes it remarkably versatile for contemporary interiors. Its 30×40 cm dimensions suit both intimate and expansive spaces: above a minimalist console in an entryway, as a focal point in a home office, or paired with other abstractions in a gallery wall. The painting’s neutral palette harmonizes with warm wood tones, linen textiles, and matte plaster walls, while its geometric structure provides contrast to organic furnishings like woven baskets or ceramic vessels.
For maximum impact, position the print where it will receive soft, indirect light—north-facing walls or areas adjacent to windows with sheer curtains. Avoid harsh overhead lighting, which can flatten the subtle textural variations Lazzari cultivated. In larger rooms, consider floating the print within a wider mat to emphasize its quiet presence. The composition’s horizontal orientation lends itself particularly well to spaces like dining areas or above low credenzas, where its meditative quality can be absorbed over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of frame is included with this print?
Each print arrives in a contemporary gallery frame with a neutral profile, designed to complement the artwork without competing with it. The frame is crafted from sustainable wood and includes UV-protective acrylic glazing to preserve the print’s colors.
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Yes, we offer free express shipping to every country with no minimum purchase. Delivery typically takes 5–10 business days, depending on your location. All orders include end-to-end tracking.
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Our prints use archival inks and acid-free paper, rated to resist fading for 80+ years under normal lighting conditions. The UV-protective glazing in the frame provides additional defense against light exposure.
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We offer a 30-day return window for all orders. If you’re not completely satisfied, contact our team for a full refund or exchange—no restocking fees.
Sources & Further Reading
- Tate. "Bice Lazzari." Tate.org.uk.
- The Art Story. "Bice Lazzari: Italian Painter and Printmaker." TheArtStory.org.
- MoMA. "Postwar Italian Abstraction." Museum of Modern Art.
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