RICARDO CARNEIRO - Sem Título
Medium: Metal engraving | Dimensions: 10 x 14,5 cm | Year: 2014-2015

 

ARTWORK FORMAL DESCRIPTION

It is a monochromatic and figurative print featuring a male figure at its center. It is possibly a child playing with something similar to a bicycle, in a dreamlike environment wherein the figure is between a circle that can be either a table or a trampoline and a shape resembling clover or a flower, in a scene seen from above. The bluish/greenish background presents divisions well outlined by contrasts in neutral tones.

 

THE ARTWORK
The colors chosen by the artist suggest calm, simplicity. The work's theme reminds us of the act of playing; also, the plainness of a child playing with his toy, distracted from the outside world. The artist stated that: "The theme was quite free. It was an image thought directly on the plaque that transformed during the engraving process. I didn't make a sketch beforehand". The print's small format makes it even more natural; it is almost a relic of some delightful childhood moment preserved in the artist's memory.

 

FOR REFLECTION

It is an untitled work, so it does not establish a single theme. Instead, it recalls childhood, innocence, considering the figuration of toys and games; it reminds us of something like the folk song Ciranda, Cirandinha, since it shows figures and circles, which seem to be moving. It reminds us of the colors and sensations of our childhood. It is a very tendered and simple image. Paused in some window of time, we can easily connect this work to the context we are living at our homes today. The pandemic gave us a unique opportunity to resize our own time, and escape from the agitated ritual of before, and find ourselves with moments at home where work, study, play, and rest share the same environment at the same time. We now have more time with the children, more time at home with our family members. A positive restructuring of relationships can be a great gift from this troubled time. How delightful is it to be able to spend more time with our young children? It is a huge challenge to balance the family and the different routines of each one at home. However, how positive can it be to accompany more closely the games and learning of our children? Ricardo Carneiro gives us this work with a taste of childhood.

 

TECHNIQUE - METAL ENGRAVING

Metal engravings can be found since the 15th century. The process of this type of engraving comprises a metal matrix (copper, zinc, brass, aluminum), where the drawing can be engraved employing sharp metal instruments or by chemical processes that include acid baths. When the engraving of the image goes directly, it is called "drypoint"; when it goes through acid baths, it is called "etching and ink-water". The most common tools used to engrave an image on the matrix are drypoint and burin. After the engraving process, the matrix can be inked with rollers and printed on wet paper with a press.