Classic Morandi

It is very easy to duplicate a Morandi painting, it’s a simple matter of ordering one from the countless Chinese replicators.

It is inordinately difficult to recreate them photographically. First you have to get as many of the original bottles and vessels as you can. I assure you, that is not an easy or inexpensive task. After many, many months, I now have most of them – and all the important ones. Then you have to develop post production techniques that capture some of the spontaneity of his brush strokes.

Many of these photographs also have subtle layers. One shows the “map” Morandi drew on his table, the lines and rings he used as an aide memoire. The other layer is dust, something he felt so deeply about.  A third layer shows the lines that demonstrate the care and precision of his compositions.

All images © Kevin Best