Arnaldo Ricciardi creates abstract paintings. Abstraction, however, does not mean that the contents of his paintings are not linked to our direct experience and our perception of the world we live in. Quite the reverse, it is always the proximity to reality, the assimilation and processing of real impressions, which are the basis of abstract art.

Ricciardi’s most important artistic means is colour. Colours develop gently in his paintings. The observer can directly feel the development and the change of colours.
Mostly, there is a dominant colour which expands to other areas, sometimes covering them, depending on transparency and intensity. The genesis of the layers of colour application can be felt from and at the edge of the paintings. In the centre, however, we find the dominant colour expanding. The transparency of different layers of colours creates a diffuse character, constantly in motion and of highly atmospheric effect, which can be seen and felt in a number of different ways. Sometimes, the covering layers are kept incomplete, allowing a view of the lower films and, thus, creating exciting contrasts.

In another series of paintings we find certain equality in grade of areas of colour, mostly formed to orthogonal structures. The fluent contours are substantial, each colour gently merges into the other. Such rectangles, closely interwoven with each other, form an understandable and clearly defined order. Colours either develop gradually - in paintings dominantly grey and white – or in dialogues full of contrast – in paintings with intense red, blue, and yellow.

Ricciardi carefully considers the setting up of his colour schemes. His paintings are reflexive works, conveying tranquillity, inviting to pause. Despite being abstract they offer orientation to the observer, while, nevertheless, leaving plenty of space for personal interpretation.

Franz Smola
Leopold Museum, Vienna