Paolo Loschi, an Italian artist whose multidisciplinary talent emerged in childhood, has created a distinctive series titled Teste su Buste (Heads on Envelopes)—20 expressive portrait heads painted and drawn on standard Generali corporate envelopes measuring approximately 20 by 30 centimetres.
Origins of the Series
The series originated while Loschi worked on restoration of the Procuratie Vecchie in Piazza San Marco, Venice, which now houses an interactive exhibition focused on personal awareness. In spare moments, collaborating with Naples-based artist Ciro Palladino, Loschi began drawing and painting on the Generali envelopes. The two artists developed an intuitive process: Loschi painted in oil, while Palladino reworked the pieces with canvas inserts, silver, and other materials. The 20 heads, often depicting female figures, were created with expressive freedom characteristic of Expressionist work.
Paper and Material History
Loschi has long been drawn to paper as both subject and support, viewing it as holding historical narrative. Beyond the Teste su Buste series, he has previously created works on outdated documents including traffic violations, notifications, and shipping receipts. During time spent in New York, he produced series on cadastral maps and archival envelopes. The dimensions and colour of the Generali envelopes proved stimulating, offering both practical constraints and creative potential.
Music and Gesture in Practice
Gesture and musicality form fundamental elements of Loschi’s artistic approach, with no clear boundary between painting and music in his practice. His work functions as a musical score rendered through brushwork, reflecting his long engagement with music as a parallel discipline. This integration shapes both the intuitive quality and rhythmic character of his compositions.
Ongoing Development
Although presented as a series of 20, the work remains open-ended. Approximately 15 additional envelopes await painting, allowing potential expansion. Individual examples from the series have been exhibited previously, though the full sequence remains unpublished as a coherent body. The series represents one significant direction in Loschi’s practice, synthesising his commitment to paper, historical memory, and musical influence.
Frequently asked questions
What materials were used in the Teste su Buste series?
Loschi painted primarily in oil on the envelopes, which Palladino then reworked with canvas inserts, silver, and other materials. The envelopes themselves, approximately 20 by 30 centimetres, served as the foundation.
Why did Loschi choose corporate envelopes as a support?
Loschi has a long engagement with paper materials and their historical narratives. The Generali envelopes’ dimensions and colour proved attractive and creatively stimulating, consistent with his previous practice of working on documents and archival materials.
Is the series complete?
The series currently comprises 20 heads, but approximately 15 additional envelopes remain available and unpainted, allowing for potential future expansion.