Art & Culture

Francesco Clemente’s New Watercolors Offer a Seaside Escape During Quarantine

Working from his Greenwich Village townhouse, the artist creates lyrical works that conjure memories of sandy shores

By Lucy Rees

May 22, 2020

Watercolor painting of a seashell on a sandy beach with blue ocean waves in the background. — Francesco Clemente, *4-13-2020.* Photo: Courtesy of Lévy Gorvy

Man sitting cross-legged in a colorful room with artistic wall designs and a contemplative expression. — Francesco Clemente. Courtesy of the Guggenheim Bilbao

Francesco Clemente, the Naples-born, longtime New Yorker, is known for his poetic paintings that sit somewhere between the physical and the spiritual. Filled with curiosity and passion for different cultures, he usually divides his time between New York, New Mexico, and India, drawing inspiration from the rich histories of each, as well as that of his native Italy.

Now confined to his home on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village, Clemente has created a new series of dreamy watercolors that conjure childhood memories of the seashore with shells and toys scattered along the sand. In a nod to Japanese ukiyo-e prints, each work is stamped with the date in what is a poignant reminder of this unique period of history. Twelve of these works are now on view in an online exhibition titled “Beauty Without Witness” at Lévy Gorvy through May 29. Below, the artist shares how he is staying creative and inspired at home, and what he most looks forward to when this period ends.

Artistic workspace with tulips, paint tubes, brushes, palettes, and a painting on a wooden table nearby with a date written. — Francesco Clemente’s home studio on MacDouagal Street, New York, May 4. Courtesy of Francesco Clemente Studio and Lévy Gorvy

On his home studio

“I have made many works isolated in some generic room of some generic provincial Indian town. I need two tables—on one I make the work, on the other I look at it. I am doing the same at home now.”

Colorful painting of a beach scene with two large seashells on the sand and ocean waves in the background. — Francesco Clemente, *4-12-2020.* Courtesy of Lévy Gorvy

On the inspiration for the new series

“I always traveled to make work. Now I work to travel. I am painting an imaginary seashore—on it are stranded sea shells and broken toys, remains of natural and cultural failures. There is no sadness, only relentless stillness and spaciousness.”

Colorful abstract painting with vibrant orange and blue shapes against a green and blue backdrop dated 4-15-2020 in corner. — Francesco Clemente, *4-15-2020.* Courtesy of Lévy Gorvy

On staying creative

“I am used to generating a scorched-ground state of mind. Joy arises from it sometimes. Painting is a sign of joy. Now I do not have to imagine the suffering as the suffering is happening next door. At first, I could not work at all for 40 days.”

Watercolor painting of a beach scene with tomatoes, a starfish, a shell, and a crescent moon, labeled 4-27-2020. — Francesco Clemente, *4-22-2020.* Courtesy of Lévy Gorvy

On passing the time

“I believe in gesture and form, and I have learned many prayers, visualizations, and ritual gestures during my long life. So, yes, I will always watch a film about unrequited love by Pedro Almodóvar or Wong Kar-wai, but I pray too.”

Abstract watercolor of a night scene with a crescent moon, bear, rooster, pig, and date 4-3-2020 in the sky. — Francesco Clemente, *4-23-2020.* Courtesy of Lévy Gorvy

When the city reopens

“I am looking forward to being able to sit at home doing nothing as a choice and not as a necessity.”

“Beauty Without Witness, April 2020” is on view at Lévy Gorvy through May 29 and is part of an ongoing series of online presentations that will benefit #FirstRespondersFirst. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of Clemente’s work will be donated to the cause.