Flute et Flutiste

Roberto Sebastian Matta

In 1969 Roberto Sebastian Matta, who by now often went simply as “Matta,” had been living in Italy for two decades and had made his mark on the art world with his Abstract, Surrealist compositions. Never quite falling into a purist vision of either category, his style was entirely his own and had gained a following not only in the leading European and American markets but in his homeland, Chile, and throughout Latin America.

In “Flute et Flutiste” two biomorphic figures occupy a forest-green landscape, appearing like circus performers in a dusky clearing, one dancing, one playing a pipe or flute. Matta employs looping, thin lines of color aquatint that unspool around the figures in a frenetic display of energy. The juxtaposition of the softly textured background and the stark, bright, alien figures exemplifies Matta’s vision of the world he occupies. His work continues to influence artists in all mediums the world over.