The artistic journey
WORKS
Seven series, a single journey into the gaze and the Soul.
Series I
Innocence
17 oils on canvas
The debut series INNOCENCE I (17 oils on canvas) marks a fundamental turning point in Cortona's artistic research. Through a deep experimentation with primary colours and their visceral nuances, an intense visual and emotional metamorphosis takes shape.
From the partial framings of the early works, the artist's gaze gradually narrows until it “enters” the subjects themselves, breaking down every distance: the space on the canvas shrinks to make room for the exploration of the Soul. An inner immersion that deepens further in series II and III, turning painting into a pure journey through the emotional depth of humanity.
All Works
17 works · click to enlarge
Series II
Innocence
Oil and photoluminescent pigments on galvanized sheet metal
INNOCENCE – Series II stems from Cortona's research into inner light and from the desire to give new life to her subjects' gaze through art.
The works are handmade on galvanized sheet metal with natural photoluminescent pigments which, once charged by light, glow in the dark, revealing intense and surprising colours. Each painting is the result of a long artisanal process, in which technique and sensitivity merge to create a constantly changing visual experience.
Light becomes an integral part of the work, revealing what remains invisible and inviting the viewer to embark on a journey towards discovering their own inner light.
All Works
26 works · click to enlarge
Series III
Innocence
10 oils on galvanized sheet metal — black and white
Series III of INNOCENCE is the final chapter of the series, made up of 10 oil paintings on galvanized sheet metal, all executed in black and white. Each sheet is prepared and worked by the artist with the same attention to detail and the same meticulous process.
With a deep passion for the contrast between light and shadow, Cortona brings this theme to the fore in a distinctive way through the chiaroscuro of this series. The use of black and white allows the artist to explore the subtle emotional nuances of every single gaze, creating a depth and intensity that captures the viewer's attention.
The result is a collection of works that explore the depths of the human soul through the powerful language of chiaroscuro.
All Works
10 works · click to enlarge
Homage to Caravaggio and Michelangelo
Maestri di Marmo
Oil on Carrara marble
With Maestri di Marmo (Masters of Marble), Cortona pays homage to two giants of art history: Caravaggio and Michelangelo.
Painted on fine Carrara marble, the works reinterpret iconic details such as The Incredulity of Saint Thomas and The Creation of Adam, turning them into a dialogue between tradition and the contemporary.
Marble, a symbol of eternity and beauty, becomes the ideal support to celebrate the expressive power of these masterpieces, offering the viewer a new perspective on their extraordinary artistic legacy.
All Works
3 works · click to enlarge
Oil on tile
Frammenti
2020
FRAMMENTI (Fragments) is a collection of oil paintings on tiles of different sizes, where each work represents an emotion, an instant, a part of the human experience.
Each tile is a fragment of a larger story: a dialogue between colour, matter and feeling that invites the viewer to recognise themselves in the infinite nuances of the human soul.
The variety of formats creates a dynamic visual rhythm, turning each work into a tile of an emotional mosaic. Together, these fragments compose an intense and personal narrative on the complexity of emotions.
All Works
11 works · click to enlarge
Illustrations inspired by astrological glyphs
Dopo di Noi
2024
.DOPO DI NOI. (After Us) is the first project born from the collaboration between two sisters and two art forms: Cortona's painting and the writer's poetry.
For the poetry collection published in 2024, Cortona created the cover and seven illustrations inspired by astrological glyphs, ancient symbols that hold universal and spiritual meanings.
Each illustration accompanies a poem, becoming a visual message that invites reflection, inner growth and the rediscovery of the bond between human beings and the universe.
All Works
8 works · click to enlarge and read
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Cover · Dopo di Noi
Full Moon
Limited edition print 1/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
The Full Moon is a fascinating celestial phenomenon with a rich history and a deep symbolic meaning. It is the moment when the Moon appears completely illuminated by the Sun, creating a breathtaking spectacle in the night sky.
It is often associated with symbols of fertility, spiritual illumination and transformation. In many cultures, the Full Moon is considered a moment of energetic power and an opportunity to manifest desires and let go of what no longer serves us.
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Be What We Are
Sacred Heart
Limited edition print 7/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
I associated the Sacred Heart with the poem “Be What We Are”, an illustration included in the poetry collection «Dopo di Noi».
I wanted to depict the anatomical Heart because everything in us begins from a deeper Love: we are Love, Spirit and Intellect, nourished together by our inner fire, which I represented with flames in the shape of a cross, and by suffering, the veins of the heart shaped like thorns, that pain which helps us bring out who we are and what we have the right to co-create through our own talent: the emanation of our own Light, depicted by the rays of light that radiate from the center of the heart.
The Sacred Heart is the symbol of Divine Love and Universal Compassion, a source of spiritual energy that manifests in the heart of the human being. This symbol is often associated with devotion to Jesus Christ, but it has a broader interpretation that goes beyond religious practices.
The Sacred Heart is a call to inner searching, to opening the heart to others and to the Divine, to connecting with our own Spiritual Essence. It is an invitation to cultivate unconditional love, Gratitude and acceptance, transcending the barriers of the ego.
Its symbolism hides deeper secrets that can guide the individual along the spiritual path, offering a doorway to understanding and Inner Illumination.
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Choose Love
Glyph of Venus
Limited edition print 2/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
I associated the Glyph of Venus with the poem “Choose Love”, an illustration included in the poetry collection «Dopo di Noi».
I depicted Venus because it is the sweetest and most feminine planet in the solar system and, through its energies, we can lean toward loving communication with ourselves and with others; in doing so we will realize that everything has reason to CHANGE.
The Glyph of Venus represents Love, beauty and harmony. It symbolizes the capacity to love, to appreciate beauty in all its forms and to create bonds of affection. It also reflects the duality between Love and Desire.
Venus is linked to personal worth and self-esteem; it represents the Essence of interpersonal relationships and self-acceptance.
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Only the Sun and the Earth Can
Glyph of the Sun and the Earth
Limited edition print 1/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
I associated the Glyphs of the Sun and the Earth with the poem “Only the Sun and the Earth Can”, an illustration included in the poetry collection «Dopo di Noi».
I wanted to depict the Earth placed at the center, as the point of the Sun's glyph, represented by a cross that stands for the glyph of the Earth, dotted and almost invisible: this is because the invisible is everywhere, and the cross, besides spirit, represents stability.
The Sun represents our inner strength, our ego, the masculine side of us that needs to find balance and embrace our feminine side, the Earth, which in the drawing is seen at the center of everything. Their Union and their Balance are the highest manifestation of the Power of Creation.
The Glyph of the Sun symbolizes vitality and the expression of the Self in astrology, representing a person's deepest essence and giving them the energy to shine in the world. In the esoteric world the Sun is associated with the mind and the intellect, representing the completion of the “Great Work”. In short, the Sun is a vital cosmic force, fundamental to life and with deep meanings in many spiritual and esoteric practices.
“The Sun is the image of the Creator” (Hermetic)
The Glyph of the Earth symbolizes space and spirituality. In Greek mythology it is personified by the goddess Gaia, mother of all living beings. The Earth embodies life, fertility and femininity, acting as a source of balance among the elements that compose it. This maternal image is reflected in the idea of a Mother Nature who generously gives her fruits to her children.
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Who Are We?
Glyph of Neptune
Limited edition print 1/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
I associated the Glyph of Neptune with the poem “Who Are We?”, an illustration included in the poetry collection «Dopo di Noi».
This depiction is an invitation to discover the infinite psychic possibilities that human beings possess, with which they can open unexplored fields and give life to creations beyond all imagination. I chose to depict Neptune together with the planets closest to the Earth, the Sun and the Moon, whom I consider the Father and the Mother of the solar system, that is, our most significant guides, always beside us, keeping our gaze always turned Upward and beyond human rationality.
The Glyph of Neptune embodies Spiritual imagination and the ascent toward Higher Awareness. Exploring the symbolism of this planet, we encounter meanings that go beyond the simple reflection of its astrological influence. Neptune is the guardian of dreams, illusions and transcendence. Its glyph, similar to a trident pointing upward, evokes the idea of Spiritual Illumination and of a Higher Consciousness.
This symbol invites us to embark on an inner journey, to explore the depths of our imagination and to unlock the creative potential that lies within us; it also represents Intuition and psychic abilities. It connects us with the subtlest energies and helps us perceive reality beyond the physical plane.
Neptune invites us to develop our imagination, to connect with higher levels of consciousness, strengthening our intuition, and to cultivate EMPATHY. By embracing this transformative energy of Neptune, we will embark on a spiritual journey rich in exploration, growth and illumination.
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It Could Be Me, It Could Be You
Glyph of Pluto
Limited edition print 1/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
I associated the Glyph of Pluto with the poem “It Could Be Me, It Could Be You”, an illustration included in the poetry collection «Dopo di Noi».
With this drawing I wanted to depict the destruction of the world, which represents the human being as the result of our conscious and unconscious, direct and indirect actions.
We must destroy and/or transform whatever is disharmony and create HARMONY.
True change begins from Within, through personal transformation and awareness of our own mental and behavioral patterns. Only when we face our deepest fears and our inner shadows can we hope to transform not only ourselves but also the world around us.
The Glyph of Pluto is represented by a small circle below a cross, with a curved line crossing the upper part of the cross, symbolizing the realm of the underworld and Pluto's influence on the depths and transformations of the human psyche.
Pluto reflects the POWER OF TRANSFORMATION and REBIRTH, associated with deep changes and intense experiences that lead to personal growth; consequently it invites us to face our fears and to embrace profound transformations.
It represents the power to confront the repetitive and dysfunctional patterns that can hinder our path of growth, opening the way to a new awareness and a new life. Pluto is a symbol of inner strength and power that resonates with the INTRINSIC HUMAN DESIRE for CHANGE and EVOLUTION.
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Free Will
Glyph of the Moon and the Square
Limited edition print 1/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
I associated the Glyph of the Moon and the Square with the poem “Free Will”, an illustration included in the poetry collection «Dopo di Noi».
The Glyph of the Moon represents intuition and emotions, connecting us to feminine energy and to the changing nature of our sensations. It reflects the fluidity of our feelings and invites us to listen to our inner wisdom.
The Square has multiple esoteric meanings that include stability, balance, challenge and manifestation. It represents stability and the phases of life: Birth, Life, Death and Rebirth.
I wanted to associate it with the poem “Free Will” because, through and thanks to listening to our own intuitions, being aware of our moods and of what the Soul is telling us at that moment helps us gain greater clarity about the direction we take; and, by taking up the strength to create stability and firmness from this, it helps manifest what you and the world around you need for a spiritual evolution.
Then you will feel guided by something greater, and your choices will be a destiny to welcome and integrate in harmony, guided by your deepest Self.
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After Us
The Universe, the Infinite
Limited edition print 8/20 · 100% cotton paper, handmade in Amalfi, 300 gsm, rough texture · 30 × 40 cm
I associated the Universe with the poem “After Us”, an illustration included in the poetry collection titled «Dopo di Noi».
I wanted to depict the Universe because such greatness is within us: that Energy which changes continually, which radiates light and which, if well aligned with the rest of Creation, could give life to the beauty that each of us feels exists within and wishes to radiate outward.
I portrayed the Universe, the whole of elements and characteristics always in motion and in continuous harmony with the whole, despite their differences: that energy that remains invisible, of which everyone is made, emanating a gentle sound and guiding us, if we are aware and able to listen to it.
The artist's box set
Major Arcana
22 hand-painted Major Arcana
Each Arcanum holds a name, a symbol and a message on the journey of consciousness.
All Works
22 works · click to enlarge