This richly illustrated exhibition catalog surveys more than three decades of Jenny Saville’s monumental figurative painting, tracing the development of her practice from the 1990s to the present and exploring her sustained engagement with the history of art.
Bringing together more than 30 paintings and works on paper, the publication examines Saville’s distinctive approach to the human body and her dialogue with the Old Masters, particularly the Venetian tradition. Her large-scale contemporary canvases are considered alongside the historical sources that have shaped her practice, revealing connections between her visceral treatment of the figure and centuries of European painting.
A group of previously unseen works created specifically in response to Venice extends this dialogue, reflecting Saville’s long relationship with the city and its artistic heritage. The exhibition coincides with the 61st Venice Biennale, placing this major presentation of her work within the broader context of contemporary art in Venice.
The catalog features full reproductions of the exhibited works, detailed images, and installation photographs. It includes a newly commissioned essay by curator Elisabetta Barisoni, examining the originality of Saville’s painting and her engagement with art-historical sources, as well as a conversation between the artist and Stefania Ventra addressing Saville’s formative years, her pursuit of emotional truth, and the continuing influence of the Old Masters.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.