Roberto de Pinto Come lacrime, 2026
Encaustic, pastels, charcoal and oil on canvas
150 x 180 cm (59 x 70 7/8 in)
Come lacrime [Like Tears] presents a frontal close-up of de Pinto’s recurring male figure against a dark background. The figure’s face is crossed by strands of pearls, flowers, and vegetal forms. The title, meaning “like tears,” relates to the vertical fall of the pearls across the face.
The work reflects de Pinto’s interest in portraiture, self-representation, masculinity, and the tactile qualities of skin. His use of encaustic, reworked through a cold-wax technique, draws on the tradition of the Fayum mummy portraits while producing a surface that recalls ancient fresco. The combination of wax, pigments, and charcoal creates a layered texture that emphasizes both the physical presence of the figure and the materiality of the painting.
The work reflects de Pinto’s interest in portraiture, self-representation, masculinity, and the tactile qualities of skin. His use of encaustic, reworked through a cold-wax technique, draws on the tradition of the Fayum mummy portraits while producing a surface that recalls ancient fresco. The combination of wax, pigments, and charcoal creates a layered texture that emphasizes both the physical presence of the figure and the materiality of the painting.