Combustione - Alberto Burri

A striking example of Alberto Burri's 'Combustione' series, this work explores the aesthetic potential of destruction through the burning of plastic and paper.

Alberto Burri, a physician turned artist, developed a unique visual language that rejected traditional painting techniques in favour of material experimentation. His 'Combustione' series, initiated in the late 1950s, involves the physical burning of materials such as plastic, wood, and paper. This specific work captures the tension between destruction and creation, where the controlled application of fire alters the surface of the medium. The composition is defined by a stark contrast between the flat, saturated red background and the charred, irregular forms of melted plastic. The heat-induced transformation creates a tactile, three-dimensional quality that challenges the viewer to perceive the work as an object rather than a representation. The blackened, bubbled areas suggest a process of decay, yet they are arranged with a deliberate sense of balance that anchors the visual field. Burri's approach reflects his experiences during the Second World War, where he witnessed the physical trauma of the human body and the degradation of the environment. By utilising industrial materials and destructive processes, Burri moved away from the gestural brushwork common in contemporary painting. Instead, he allowed the material to dictate the final form. The resulting image is one of stark materiality, where the scorched edges and glossy, melted textures provide a sensory experience that transcends traditional aesthetic categories. This print captures the nuances of the original surface, preserving the depth and the interplay of light across the uneven, burnt layers. It is a study in the transformation of matter, documenting the moment where solid form yields to the force of heat.