Paper

Student Artwork Guide

40 Day Dream

Name Class Date

Gloria Pasotti, 40 Day Dream (2015), THAT'S CONTEMPORARY. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
Gloria Pasotti wahooart.com/en/artists/gloria-pasotti/
Artist’s dates
1987 – ?
Painted
2015
Original size
50 x 70 cm
Movement
Contemporary Realism Living artists painting the real world with traditional skill, often from photographs as well as from life.
Held at
THAT'S CONTEMPORARY wahooart.com/en/museums/that-s-contemporary-milan/

In context

40 Day Dream — Gloria Pasotti

How big is it?

The original measures 50 × 70 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1980
  2. 1990
  3. 2000
  4. 2010

Shaded: the lifetime of Gloria Pasotti (1987–?) ▲ this work, 2015

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/gloria-pasotti-40-day-dream-D73UDP-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #4d5430

    Catalogued palette

    • #4D5430
    • #767C52
    • #AAA884
    • #1D1F0D
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Gloria Pasotti

    Born in Brescia, Italy

    Gloria Pasotti: Capturing the Everyday in Italian Contemporary Art

    Gloria Pasotti (born 1987 in Brescia, Italy) is a rising contemporary artist whose work explores the beauty and significance of everyday life through photography, video, and drawing. Currently based in Italy, she has quickly gained recognition for her unique perspective on overlooked moments and mundane scenes, transforming them into captivating artistic expressions.

    Early Life, Education, and Artistic Development

    Early Interest: Pasotti's passion for art developed at a young age, leading her to pursue formal training in photography.

    Brera Fine Arts Academy: She honed her skills at the prestigious Brera Fine Arts Academy in Milan, earning an MFA in Photography. This rigorous education provided her with a strong foundation in photographic techniques and artistic principles.

    Medium Exploration: Following her studies, Pasotti expanded her practice beyond photography to incorporate video and drawing, demonstrating a versatile approach to artistic creation. Her work seamlessly blends these mediums, often layering textures and perspectives to create complex narratives.

    Artistic Style and Themes

    Pasotti's artistic style is characterized by its quiet observation and meticulous attention to detail. She focuses on the seemingly insignificant aspects of daily life – wildflowers, urban landscapes, textures, colors, and patterns – elevating them to subjects worthy of contemplation.

    Everyday Beauty: Her work seeks out beauty in the mundane, revealing a poetic sensibility that transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary visual experiences.

    Minimalist Approach: Pasotti often employs a minimalist aesthetic, allowing the subject matter and its inherent qualities to take center stage.

    Urban & Natural Landscapes: She draws inspiration from both urban environments and natural settings, finding beauty in the interplay of human-made structures and organic forms.

    Influences and Notable Works

    Pasotti's artistic development has been shaped by a range of influences spanning art history.

    Historical Influences: She draws inspiration from movements like the Italian Renaissance, Neoclassicism, and Modernism.

    Key Artists: Pasotti acknowledges the influence of artists such as Giovanni Ozzola and Gea Casolaro, whose work shares a similar focus on observation and detail. The pioneering photography of Alfred Stieglitz also informs her approach to the medium.

    Notable Work - 40 Day Dream: Perhaps her most recognized piece is "40 Day Dream," a photograph showcasing wildflowers in Italy. This work exemplifies her ability to capture nature’s beauty with surreal detail, creating a peaceful and whimsical atmosphere. It's part of the collection at That's Contemporary (Milan, Italy).

    Unique Historical Involvement: Notably, Pasotti also participated in historical events such as the Ragamuffin War in Brazil and the Uruguayan Civil War, where she notably raised an Italian force known as Redshirts – a fascinating intersection of artistic practice and historical engagement.

    Historical Significance and Current Recognition

    Gloria Pasotti is establishing herself as a significant voice in contemporary Italian art. Her work resonates with audiences through its quiet beauty and thoughtful exploration of everyday life.

    Exhibitions: Her artwork has been exhibited at prestigious platforms including Phroom, Swit Platform, Nero Editions, and Google Arts & Culture, demonstrating her growing recognition within the international art community.

    Contemporary Relevance: Pasotti's focus on observation and detail aligns with a broader trend in contemporary art that emphasizes process, materiality, and the exploration of everyday experience.

    AllPaintingsStore Presence: Her profile and artwork are featured prominently on AllPaintingsStore, making her work accessible to a wider audience seeking hand-painted reproductions and original artworks from leading contemporary artists.

    Museum

    THAT'S CONTEMPORARY

    On show in Milan, Italy

    THAT'S CONTEMPORARY: A Milanese Hub for Contemporary Art

    Milan, Italy – THAT’S CONTEMPORARY stands as a singular testament to the evolving landscape of Italian art. Founded in 2011, this innovative cultural platform isn’t merely documenting contemporary artistic endeavors; it actively cultivates an independent network connecting artists, galleries, and audiences—a deliberate departure from traditional museum models. Its mission is simple yet profound: to illuminate Milan's dynamic creative spirit and foster a deeper appreciation for modern art forms.

    Mapping the Scene:

    Launched as a response to the need for centralized artistic mapping, THAT’S CONTEMPORARY swiftly established itself as the go-to resource for discovering exhibitions and emerging talent within Milan.

    Bridging Connections:

    Unlike conventional institutions focused on preservation, THIS platform prioritizes engagement—facilitating dialogues between artists and collectors alike.

    Collection Highlights & Artistic Explorations

    While lacking a permanent collection in the traditional sense, THAT’S CONTEMPORARY offers visitors an immersive journey into Milanese contemporary art. The platform champions exhibitions showcasing diverse mediums—photography, sculpture, installation art—often featuring groundbreaking perspectives on societal issues and artistic experimentation. Notably, explorations of architectural spaces like Viafarini contribute to this experience, highlighting innovative approaches to gallery design and fostering stimulating conversations about artistic presentation.

    Featured Works:

    Among the showcased pieces are captivating artworks such as Gerhard Richter’s ‘Domplatz, Mailand,’ a masterful black & white photograph capturing Milanese grandeur—a testament to realism infused with aged aesthetic qualities.

    Fashion Forward Inspiration:

    Águeda Isabel Ruiz de la Prada’s ‘Dress with Synthetic-Suede Squares,’ presented during Milan Fashion Week, exemplifies the platform's commitment to showcasing artistic collaborations and pushing creative boundaries.

    Notable Artists & Creative Voices

    THAT’S CONTEMPORARY spotlights Italian artists who are shaping the future of art. Massimo Kaufmann, renowned for his expansive paintings, embodies the spirit of Milanese artistic tradition while simultaneously embracing innovation. Similarly, elisabetta gut's sculptures and installations delve into themes of confinement and fragility—reflecting a thoughtful engagement with contemporary concerns. Daniele Innamorato’s collaborative work as founder of Kings Collective underscores the platform’s dedication to fostering collective creativity and pushing artistic boundaries.

    Viafarini: An Architectural Canvas

    The Viafarini gallery complex serves as an integral part of THAT’S CONTEMPORARY's narrative. Designed by architect Marco Zanuso Jr., this building embodies Milanese architectural modernity—a space deliberately conceived to stimulate artistic dialogue and showcase experimental exhibitions. Its expansive layout encourages exploration and contemplation, mirroring the platform’s ethos of fostering engagement with cutting-edge art.

    A Unique Perspective on Contemporary Art

    THAT'S CONTEMPORARY distinguishes itself from conventional museums by prioritizing active participation and disseminating knowledge beyond physical walls. It operates as a dynamic online resource—a vibrant hub for artistic discovery—solidifying its position as an indispensable guide for anyone wishing to experience Milan’s flourishing contemporary art scene.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for 40 Day Dream

    wahooart.com/en/art/download/gloria-pasotti-40-day-dream-D73UDP-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Pasotti, Gloria. 40 Day Dream. 2015, THAT'S CONTEMPORARY. https://wahooart.com/en/art/gloria-pasotti-40-day-dream-D73UDP-en/
    APA
    Pasotti, Gloria (2015). 40 Day Dream [Painting]. THAT'S CONTEMPORARY. https://wahooart.com/en/art/gloria-pasotti-40-day-dream-D73UDP-en/
    Chicago
    Gloria Pasotti. 40 Day Dream. 2015. THAT'S CONTEMPORARY. https://wahooart.com/en/art/gloria-pasotti-40-day-dream-D73UDP-en/
    Harvard
    Pasotti, Gloria (2015) 40 Day Dream. THAT'S CONTEMPORARY. Available at: https://wahooart.com/en/art/gloria-pasotti-40-day-dream-D73UDP-en/

    Look closely

    40 Day Dream — Gloria Pasotti

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: wildflowers, natural beauty, botanical art. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at 40 Day Dream (2015), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Contemporary Realism: Living artists painting the real world with traditional skill, often from photographs as well as from life. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.