MARIO GIACOMELLI (1925–2000)
Pretini (Dancing Priests), Italy 1961

Start price: €4.500

Estimate: € 8.000-10.000

Gelatin silver print, printed in the 1980s, double-weight semi-matte paper, perfect condition

29,7 x 39,7 cm

From the series ‘Io non ho mani che mi accarezzino il volto’ (There are no hands to caress my face)

Signed by the photographer in pencil on the reverse, photographer’s copyright and series stamp on the reverse

LITERATURE Alistair Crawford, Mario Giacomelli, London 2001, p. 225; Alessandra Mauro (ed.), Mario Giacomelli. The Black is waiting for the White, Rome 2009, p. 236.

Für seine eindringlichen Fotoserien nahm sich Giacomelli stets Zeit. Auch das Priesterseminar von Senigallia besuchte er über einen Zeitraum von fast drei Jahren immer wieder. Der poetische Titel der Serie stammt aus einem Gedicht von Pater David Maria Turoldo. Besonders die im Winter entstandenen Aufnahmen sind unverwechselbar und von großer Intensität. Giacomelli arbeitete von einem erhöhten Standpunkt aus mit langen Belichtungszeiten und zusätzlichem Blitzlicht. Details werden so fast vollkommen überblendet und die Priester scheinen wie aus Zeit und Raum gehoben.

Giacomelli always took time for his haunting photo series. He also visited the seminary of Senigallia again and again over a period of almost three years. The poetic title of the series comes from a poem by Father David Maria Turoldo. Especially the photographs taken in winter are distinctive and of great intensity. Giacomelli worked from an elevated vantage point with long exposure times and additional flash. Details are thus almost completely blurred and the priests seem to be lifted out of time and space.