This time I took the photographs because in the ones provided to me by the circle of the incompetent (that would be the exhibition, downstairs from my (golden and heavenly) office, because, I was saying, the ones provided to me from downstairs, for the hundred thousandth time, did not show one of the most interesting things in Louis Philippe fireplaces, their profile !!!
And so, with bile overflowing, I deleted the photographs just delivered to me and descended into the underworld to take this series of photographs, more than one of which shows in all its splendor, the splendid profile of our Modillon fireplace (its “French” name derives from the medieval Italian MODIGLIONE, a word that, in the sculptural sphere, meant SPORGE, MENSOLA, SCULPTURED AGGEE).
True or not that his profile is beautiful and should always be shown and evaluated!
Please tell that clueless “photographer” of mine too, Thank you.
His design is that of the most classic Modillon, his marble cloth is in one of the most sought-after colors in today's fashion, and, and, you will be quick to note, with a distribution of his very fine white darts that is absolutely as seldom... HOMOGENIC. Often these fascinating “white spots” (son animal fossils) are agglomerated among them and their aesthetic effect is thus thwarted, here, on the other hand, we have a PERFECT DISTRIBUTION of them, with the corresponding aesthetic results.. In compiling this commentary, I had to several times (and pleasantly) leave the computer keyboard to go and look at the various details of the fireplace I was writing about.. Well, each time it came to me to think that... HE (the fireplace) APPEARED MUCH MORE AFFASCINATING SEEING IN PERSON THROUGH MY ( ALTHOUGH BEAUTIFUL, OBVIOUSLY) , DAGHERROTIPES !!
TRY IT TO BELIEVE.
The fireplace I am presenting to you is in PERFECT CONDITION OF CONSERVATION, it comes to us from Paris, was built in the Louis Philippe era (an era that, as far as fireplaces are concerned, goes from 1840 to 1860) and is so cheap that it may be an offense to the sculptor of the time.
SIDE NOTES: ECOLOGY AND ANTIQUE FIREPLACES, A VERY CURRENT COMBINATION.
Take note, for the past few years it has been all about adding the prefixes “ECO” and “BIO” to any product, and even the fireplace does not escape this publicity deception.....
I won't give you the name of the company because otherwise they will sue me, but there is even a fireplace manufacturer who has brought up Geppetto's fireplace (Pinocchio's, eh..) just because Geppetto rhymes with bio-fireplace, forgetting the fact that the “real” Geppetto was so poor, but so poor that he had the fire, at home, yes, but ... painted on the wall !!!
In truth, modern fireplaces are mostly produced in China, India or Pakistan and then marketed in Italy after being finely labeled. These mantels have very little that is environmentally friendly, since they are produced through the use of chemical components in their processing (that's how it's done faster..), especially in polishing and assembly, resulting in the production of sludge that is highly toxic to humans and the environment. IN YOUR OPINION, IN CHINA OR SIMILAR PLACES (BUT ALSO IN ITALY, CAMORRA DOCET..), WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT SLUDGE!
Another “ecological ”point in favor of the ancient fireplace lies in the fact that ancient fireplaces were assembled with entirely natural materials (especially plaster) and not with plastic or silicone mastics as is the case today. Their carving, then, was entirely manual, and did not produce those waste slurries that modern automated robotic machines spit out every second and which we then, perhaps, find ourselves illegally dumped into the sea or into some disused quarry given the high cost of their disposal by law... In short, it can certainly be said that the antique fireplace IS ECOLOGICAL AND WAS ECOLOGICAL even at the time of its construction!
Last thought and then I will not bore you any longer:
If it is true that respect for the environment can only be achieved through greater culture, well, every antique fireplace brings in its forms, created by the hand and sweat of an ancient artist, a little bit of culture, the appeal of which even the most insensitive individual will not be able to escape.
It will be a cultural and economic, as well as an environmental, investment for you to put a truly artistic artifact in your home.
Cheers to you, from Artis, Maurizio and Enrico Dal Pezzo
