Ottorino De Lucchi: the subtle boundary between reality an illusion
Discover the pictorial research of Ottorino De Lucchi, an artist who adopts the classical still life as his primary subject, transforming it into a field of visual astonishment. His works captivate the viewer through a sense of imperfect perfection, where pictorial fiction seems to surpass the very reality it seeks to depict.
The hyperrealism of De Lucchi’s painting is never cold or mechanical. Instead, it is the result of a careful, precise, and rigorous method that leaves no room for distraction. The viewer, too, becomes part of this process, drawn into a continuous and meticulous inspection of the painted image, in an attempt to understand where truth ends and illusion begins.
The art of Ottorino De Lucchi
Central to his practice is the drybrush technique, which De Lucchi has developed in a completely independent and original way. This demanding method requires exceptional mastery and concentration, relying on extremely fine layers of paint and on the controlled removal of color to achieve tonal depth and subtle transitions.
The resulting surfaces display extraordinary richness and striking contrasts of light, effects unattainable through other painting techniques. During his time in the United States, De Lucchi closely studied the works of Andrew Wyeth, whose technical virtuosity became a crucial stimulus for his own long phase of experimentation, ultimately shaping a highly personal visual language.
Who is Ottorino De Lucchi
Born in Ferrara in 1951, Ottorino De Lucchi graduated in Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Padua. Throughout his life, he has consistently pursued his artistic research alongside an academic career as a chemist, developing a deeply analytical and methodical approach to painting.
He taught Conservation and Restoration at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and has frequently been invited by Art Academies and Institutes, both in Italy and abroad, to present and explain his painting technique. His works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries and at numerous art fairs in Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and the United States.
He currently lives and works between Padua and Folgaria.
