Triumph of Caesar

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 26

Triumph of Caesar

Mantegna Series — An exhibition of paintings by Melvin Day at the C.S.A. Gallery until July 20. Reviewed by David Brokenshire. The idea for this series of paintings was started by the artist's study of one of Mantegna’s paintings dealing with the triumph of Caesar. Eight large paintings are on display and all share some aspect or thoughts developed from the painting. The use of lettering and the black frame shown in part of the works, the stamp of feet of the Imperial Troops — all refer back — hut of course the treatment, composition and the colouring are the artist’s own.

Each work is worth studying from a distance and then very closely as the. surface texture and modulations of colour are particularly subtle. Portions of people marching, the folds of antique clothing slowly change into starta of the ground and then become landscape above. Perhaps this suggests the envelopment by the land over the incidental punctuations of human triumph, vanity, and tribulation. This is not an easy exhibition but it certainly is very thoughtful and well presented.