Louis Fratino: A Celebration of Life, Love, and Italian Inspiration in “Satura”

The Centro per l’Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci in Prato, Italy, is set to present Louis Fratino: Satura, an extensive solo exhibition dedicated to the acclaimed American artist Louis Fratino. Opening on September 26, 2024, and running through February 2, 2025, the exhibition will feature more than 30 paintings, 20 drawings and lithographs, and several new works, all of which highlight Fratino’s distinctively lush and intimate style.

The exhibition, curated by Stefano Collicelli Cagol, Director of the Centro, marks a significant chapter in the Tuscany at the Centre annual program. It follows Fratino’s well-received participation in Stranieri Ovunque (Foreigners Everywhere), curated by Adriano Pedrosa at the 60th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. With Satura, the Centro Pecci aims to explore Fratino’s prolific engagement with themes of intimacy, identity, and beauty, while also shedding light on his deep connection to Italian culture.

A Feast for the Senses

The title Satura draws on the Latin phrase “Satura Lanx,” which describes a banquet platter filled with diverse fruits, intended as offerings to the gods. The term evolved into the literary genre satura, which featured a mix of forms and themes. In Italian, the word “satura” translates as “saturated” or “filled,” making it a fitting title for an exhibition where Fratino’s artworks are steeped in richness—both in subject matter and visual execution.

Fratino’s recent works, including twelve new paintings that will be unveiled at Satura, explore a variety of themes such as reclining nudes, domestic scenes, family portraits, and moments of eroticism. These pieces blend still lifes, landscapes, and tender human connections, forming a lush tapestry of beauty and reflection on human experiences. Viewers will also gain insight into Fratino’s creative process, as eight of his sketchbooks will be displayed, revealing the intricate relationship between his drawings and finished compositions.

A Deep Connection to Italy

One of the central themes of the Satura exhibition is Fratino’s profound artistic connection with Italy. The artist, who frequently draws inspiration from Italy’s rich cultural heritage, landscapes, and 20th-century art, infuses his works with references to notable Italian artists such as Filippo De Pisis, Mario Mafai, and Fausto Pirandello. These influences, combined with Fratino’s love for cities like Rome and Milan and the Mediterranean coastline, deeply inform the style and emotional depth of his work.

Fratino’s art also reflects an intellectual engagement with Italian literary figures such as poets Sandro Penna and Pier Paolo Pasolini, and activist Mario Mieli, whose writings have left an indelible mark on his practice. This interplay between visual and literary sources underscores the multidimensional nature of his art and his commitment to exploring the complexities of identity, desire, and the human condition.

Exploring Themes of Identity and Intimacy

Fratino’s work has always been characterized by an intimate portrayal of human relationships, both personal and familial. His depictions of domestic spaces and quiet moments of solitude and connection carry a warmth and vulnerability that resonate with audiences. In Satura, these themes are given new depth as Fratino investigates the intersections of queer identity, beauty, and everyday life. His artworks, often characterized by their rich color palette and sensual forms, explore both the physical and emotional landscapes of the human experience.

The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to experience Fratino’s evolving artistic journey. Each painting, drawing, and sculpture becomes a narrative thread in his exploration of intimacy, beauty, and identity, while also offering a window into his creative process through the presentation of his sketchbooks.

A New Publication: Satura

In conjunction with the exhibition, Mousse Publishing will release a book titled Satura, which will delve into Fratino’s artistic relationship with Italy. The book will feature newly commissioned essays and insights from scholars of art and queer theory, casting a light on the influences that have shaped Fratino’s oeuvre over the last decade. Through this publication, readers will gain a more comprehensive understanding of Fratino’s approach to art, including how his time in Italy has enriched his exploration of identity, love, and culture.

Louis Fratino’s Satura at Centro Pecci offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of his work. His sensitive approach to intimacy, his intricate engagement with Italian cultural and artistic traditions, and his ability to evoke beauty in the everyday make this exhibition a must-see for art lovers. Satura is more than just an exhibition—it is an artistic journey that invites viewers to engage deeply with the world Fratino so vividly brings to life.