Mimmo Paladino

The Witness, 1993

Artwork Brief Description

Paladino’s *The Witness* is a mysterious sculpture depicting a figure entwined with two serpentine creatures. The figure’s anxious expression suggests a moment of tension—whether the snakes are protectors or threats remains ambiguous. Inspired by classical mythology, particularly the tale of Hercules and the serpents, Paladino reinterprets ancient themes through a contemporary lens. The smooth, pale limestone gives the work a two-dimensional quality, enhancing its dreamlike atmosphere.

The Witness, 1993

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Domenico Paladino, aka Mimmo (Paduli, 18 December 1948), is an Italian artist, painter, sculptor and printmaker.

He is one of the main exponents of the Italian transavantgarde, an artistic movement theorised and promoted by Achille Bonito Oliva in 1980 that identified a return to painting after the various conceptual currents that developed in the 1970s. His works are permanently exhibited in some of the major international museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Mimmo Paladino (Italian b.1948) Il Testimone/ The Witness, 1993

Mimmo Paladino’s “The Witness” is a compelling and somewhat confounding sculpture that encourages viewers to question the scene that unfolds before them. Two serpent-like forms entwine the central figure, and his raised eyebrow and half-open mouth suggest a state of worry or unease. It isn’t clear if the central character is being embraced or perhaps engulfed by the rapturous creatures. Paladino has portrayed a witness, but what exactly remains a mystery.

Paladino is known for exploring classical narratives through a contemporary lens, and this sculpture recalls the tale of a very young Hercules from both Greek and Roman mythology. According to the myth, snakes were sent by Zeus’s wife, Hera, because she was jealous that Zeus had made Hercules with the mortal woman, Alcmena. This invidious act was thwarted by the young Hercules, who demonstrated his extraordinary strength by overpowering and killing the serpents. Despite this ferocious allegory, Paladino’s sculpture is void of anger and aggression. Instead, the characters portray harmony and serenity. The use of smooth white limestone creates a sense of two-dimensionality and flatness, visually merging the three figures and creating a more unified composition.

At the time of this work's creation, Palladino would have been well acquainted with sculptures depicting Hercules and serpents, many of which are housed in prominent Italian collections dating back to the 2nd century AD. In The Witness, Paladino’s serpentine figures are notably more robust than typical snakes, with their longer limbs resembling small alligators. In addition, the character in the centre, does not appear to be quite an infant but perhaps a youthful character. Through subtle changes, Paladino plays with this well-known allegory to create a beautiful sculpture that is both classical and modern.