Risorgimento

Artist Sandra Allen (b. 1959)

Date2005

MediumPencil on paper

Dimensions88 x 40 in.

ClassificationsDrawing

Credit LineWilliam F. Brooks Fund

Object number2009.115

Description"Risorgimento" is closely related to the large-scale drawings of trees that were part of Sandra Allen's NEW/NOW exhibition held at the NBMAA. Allen has been inspired by the surface and form of trees since the late 1990s. Initially, she used her drawings as sketches for paintings. She soon realized that the drawings became more important to her than the final paintings and, therefore, decided to make drawing her primary medium.

Allen describes "Risorgimento" as follows:

"I was initially attracted to the tree trunk in "Risorgimento" because of the interesting marks and scaring on the trunk. When I found this tree (which I think is a Linden) I didn't have my camera with me and so I knew I would have to plan on coming back another time soon. I left on a trip to Italy the very next day and when I returned two weeks later the tree was in bloom and I felt it was too late and I had lost my chance to get what I was after. I knew I would have to wait six to eight months to come back and photograph it again without any leaves. I decided to take some pictures anyway and when I saw the photographs it seemed to me that the trunk was even more poignant in contrast to the delicate white flowers that were blooming. I had never drawn anything like it before and so decided to give it a try.

When I drew the tree I realized that the whiteness of the flowers was not showing up at all and so decided that I would put in a gradual tone in the background to make them standout. It is the only drawing I've done that includes the flowers, buds and the background shading.

My trip to Italy was the influence on the title. 'Risorgimento' means a time of renewal, renaissance or revival."

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