Mario Ceroli, The Emigrant's Suitcase, 1976, Mixed Media, Framed

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Mixed media relief assemblage, paper and pigment in a wooden box-frame. Hand signed and numbered in pencil. Edition of 76/89. … Read more Mixed media relief assemblage, paper and pigment in a wooden box-frame. Hand signed and numbered in pencil. Edition of 76/89. La Valigia dell’Emigrante is an evocative and meticulously constructed work by Mario Ceroli, one of Italy’s most influential post-war sculptors and a central figure of the Scuola di Piazza del Popolo. In this piece, Ceroli synthesizes his characteristic sculptural language—rooted in repetition, modularity, and material experimentation—into a poetic and deeply symbolic object. The composition consists of a strict 5 × 5 grid of twenty-five individually hand-folded paper forms, each resembling a compacted rose or paper “bundle.” Sculpted from rose-colored cloth and delicately dyed to obtain tonal transitions from dusty pink to muted reds, each unit displays unique folds, compressions, and shadow patterns. Together, they create a rhythmic, almost architectural surface that oscillates between the organic and the geometric. These elements are mounted within a deep, handcrafted wooden shadow-box, its warm patina and visible grain evoking the tactile familiarity of travel-worn luggage. The entire internal structure, framed behind glass, recalls a curated display of precious belongings—quiet, intimate fragments arranged with ceremonial order. On the verso, the wooden backing formed from vertical planks further reinforces the metaphor of a “valigia” or suitcase, anchoring the work in its titular theme. Ceroli’s pencil signature appears on the lower right of the backing panel, and the edition number 76/89 is inscribed at lower left, indicating a limited but handmade series. Throughout his career, Mario Ceroli has explored identity, memory, and collective narrative through repetition and the reinterpretation of everyday forms. In La Valigia dell’Emigrante, Ceroli reflects on a profoundly Italian subject: emigration—the personal and cultural displacement that marked generations of Italian families. The textile bundles symbolize the few essential objects an emigrant might carry: clothing, keepsakes, memories compressed into a small volume. Their repeated form echoes Ceroli’s interest in seriality, while their subtle individuality speaks to the diversity of personal histories contained within a shared destiny of departure. The wooden box, reminiscent of a shipping crate or travel trunk, transforms the artwork into a vessel of stories—part relic, part archive, part memorial. In this way, the work resonates with Ceroli’s broader sculptural investigations into the dialogue between people, objects, and the spaces they inhabit. Condition report: Paper elements: Stable, well-preserved; age toning and natural pigment variation. Backing panel: Light patina with faint foxing consistent with age; no visible structural issues. Glass: Appears intact; minor surface dust/reflection (removable). Frame: Good overall condition with small abrasions and age-related wear at edges. Reverse: Natural wood discoloration, minor marks, original construction visible. Overall, the work is in good, coherent vintage condition, suitable for immediate display. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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