14 September - 18 December
Luigi Pericle (1916-2001) was a fascinating and singular artist. A Swiss painter of Italian origin, he was also an illustrator, writer and a scholar of esoteric philosophies such as astrology, theosophy and alchemy. During the early 1960s his intense, enigmatic and multilayered imagery was the subject of numerous exhibitions in Britain, where it was greatly admired by important figures such as Herbert Read and Ben Nicholson.
Pericle’s works – characterised by sweeping, calligraphic brushstrokes – established him as a key protagonist of post-war abstraction, yet in 1965, at the peak of his success, he suddenly withdrew from the art world. For the remainder of his career Pericle dedicated himself to his philosophical studies and to the creation of luminous, complex artworks in which cosmic forces and transcendental psychic states were explored through a highly personal repertoire of geometric forms and mystical, totemic symbols.
Having fallen into oblivion for several decades, his work was dramatically rediscovered in 2016 with the purchase of the artist’s former residence, which proved to be an immense treasure trove of paintings and graphic works.
The process of restoring, cataloguing and researching this vast oeuvre is ongoing, and is overseen by Ascona’s Archivio Luigi Pericle, with which this career-spanning retrospective has been organised.
39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN
Late Opening at the Museum – Aperitivo Night:
10/11/2022
18.00 – 21.00
Join us for a late opening of the museum and caffè, a perfect opportunity to enjoy an Italian aperitivo in the garden and try a taste of Italy in the Caffè Estorick. No advance booking required.
The exhibition, Luigi Pericle: A Rediscovery and our permanent collection will be open until 21.00.
Drinks and food can be purchased from the caffè, standard admission fees apply to visit the galleries.
The gallery is a 6 minute walk from Highbury and Islington station, 9 minutes walk from Essex Road station and 11 minutes walk from Canonbury station.
Buses: The 271 stops outside of the gallery and the 4, 19, 30, 43 stop on Upper Street/Canonbury Lane.
Please contact Transport for London for detailed travel advice tfl.gov.uk.
