WHAT?  Antonio Calderara - A Certain Light 

WHERE?  Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a Canonbury Square, London N1 2AN

WHEN?  Now until 22nd December 

WHY GO?  For meditative vibes.  His name will resonate with true aficionados of Italian art, but this small tightly curated exhibition might well be your first introduction to Calderara, who was self taught, reclusive and not widely known outside art circles. 

Consequently, this first solo museum exhibition guides us, tracing his work from an early figurative style to the purely abstract geometric works from the late Fifties on show and they couldn’t be more opposite in style.

Calderara lived and worked around Lake Orta, known as Italy’s hidden gem, an area that has inspired poets and painters alike for generations and it’s easy to see why. 

The light offers something special to sensitive creative eyes and Calderera’s work has a delicacy about it as he made full use of the surrounding scenery mirroring and reflecting the lake.

Abandoning engineering as a student in 1925 to follow his love of art, Calderara’s work is meditative and ranges from serene family scenes, including a beautiful painting of his daughter who died aged just eleven in 1944, to the misty moments he captured later on in his career right up until his own death in 1978.  

Steeped in atmosphere , this exhibition of just 50 artworks encourages us to quietly ponder how muted pastel colours, abstract shapes and simplicity in precision itself can offer up much to reflect upon.

IN THE KNOW  Antonio Calderara’s legacy is preserved through a foundation in the artist’s former home and studio, housed in a villa-cloister of Vacciago, North of Milan where a programme of exhibitions and events are held from May to October each year.  His estate in the UK is managed by Lisson Gallery who collaborated with the exhibition.