- Pastel and Charcoal on Brown Paper
- 25 in. x 18 inches
- Available, Framed with mat and glass
Il Dono [Italian for 'The Gift']
A man with fun dreadlocks hair pushes his hands out to the viewer (a movement of the Capoeira of Brazil) in a gesture of offering. Il Dono is the Italian phrase for "The Gift," but not just any gift. It means more like a donation of the heart, a gift given freely and dearly. The figure's body disappears into smoke at the waist. The smoke swirls around him, perhaps as a genie or maybe to suggest that if you do not accept this gesture of kindness, it will disappear.
Il Dono is a charcoal and pastel figure drawing on light brown Roma-brand paper. The original art is framed with a white mat and ribbed black frame. The art will ship from Norfolk, Virginia, and make a beautiful addition to your art collection.
Prints are available in a variety of sizes. Just ask!
This charcoal and pastel drawing depicts a male figure amidst a smoky background making an offer to you with his hands. In the Italian language there are (at least) two words for the English word "gift." The original title for this artwork was "Il Regalo." Regalo is the word most often used when describing giving a birthday present or other gift.
But shortly after the art was completed, I was visiting the studio of an Italian artist named Samuele Vanni and saw a newspaper clipping with the words "Il Dono" in the headline. Samuele explained that dono was a special type of gift, given from the heart and typically without a specific occasion, but (as in the case of this example) it is a gift that makes a big difference in the life of another. It is a gift born of love, not of "obligation" (as a birthday gift might be . . . meaning an occasion). This difference was key to the idea of this artwork and thus, the title was changed.
I first met Vida, the model for this drawing, in Florence, Italy, during an art reception in the stables of a wealthy family in the Renaissance City. As it turned out, he was a friend of a friend and we were introduced and had a wonderful time getting to know one another. I liked his boyish energy and since I discovered he was already an artist's model, I asked if he would work with me.
Vida is from Brazil and practices traditional capoeira, a type of dance (usually with another) that looks like a combination of dance, tai chi, and sometimes martial arts, or hunting. He says that the more modern version includes acrobatics as a crowd thriller.
So when he arrived where I was living in Florence, we went into the garden and I asked him to do some movements of the capoeira to give me some ideas. As he did this graceful movement raising himself up by straightening his legs as his arms came together to cup his hands before reaching out towards me, I asked him to freeze that pose. And the work you see here began . . .
Il Dono was the poster art for my first solo exhibition in Florence, Italy, in April 2009. The exhibit was titled Kelly Borsheim: Luce dall'oscurità and you may see it online by clicking on the name.
Thank you for your interest!
Kelly
Payment plans are accepted on all of my works, no finance charge. You set the date and the amount that you would like to pay each month. One-third of the price [regardless of when that balance is reached] becomes the non-refundable deposit. [However, in the event that you change your mind or situation, this deposit may be applied towards any other available Borsheim Artwork.]
Il Dono is framed with a classic black frame, white acid-free mat, and glass (all included in the price). Ships from Norfolk, Virginia. Please contact me if this original charcoal and pastel drawing interests you. Prints are also available.
If you would like this image of Il Dono as a reproduction [on paper, on wood, on metal, framed, unframed, on other products such as a phone case, pillows, shower curtain, towels, etc.,] please order here:
fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-kelly-borsheim.html