Art at the table, but after the banquet

An introductory Spanish term, Sobremesa is the postprandial idleness to which Ignasi Monreal dedicates hyper-realistic works. And Palazzo Monti in Brescia dedicates an exhibition to him, or rather, a table set, but crumpled, for a trompe-l'oeil effect

An invitation to stop. And laze around

Curated by Edoardo Monti, founder of the artistic project housed in the Brescia residence and open to visitors by appointment until September 17th by writing to hello@palazzomonti.org, the one proposed to Palazzo Monti is an exhibition, a gastronomic and convivial installation, but also a pause for reflection: an invitation to stop and understand that it is not only important what we eat, but how we do it, also and above all after having finished.

Dishes (with leftovers) trompe-l'oeil effect

The impact is incisive and contrasting. At the center of the frescoed hall of the historic building stands a table set, but 'crumpled' and 'smeared'. A table returning from an evening whose traces are clearly visible, in the almost empty wine glasses while the overflowing ashtray. The plates and trays are surprising, replaced overnight by hyper-realistic reproductions. Works painted by Ignasi Monreal, on a scale of 1 to 1, which immortalize what remains of cheerful convivial banquets. On the walls, other works, other dishes and other foods create an amazing trompe-l'oeil effect.

The celebration of a rite

The setting up of Sombresa at Palazzo Monti is a celebration of life, food, meals and well-deserved rest. A sacred and pagan tribute to the primordial rite that we carry out three times a day, for our whole life, sometimes standing up in a hurry, sometimes in joy with friends, still others with a symbolic ceremonial. Those painted by Ignasi Monreal are 'dirty dishes' that make the superficial deep, the ephemeral eternal.