Oil on canvas, 1955, Bianchedi Bettoli / Vallunga Collection, 75x64 cm with frame and passe-partout 99x90.6, Inv. n. 1753

An extremely personal work, even exquisite, by Massimo Campigli. A typical example of his art, which is also part of one of the most important series in the artist?s career: the cycle of the "Steps" included about 40 canvases produced during the years between 1953 and 1957.
The motif of the three women on a staircase, which at first glance seems to present no problems, when scrutinized more carefully becomes very complex. Campigli modifies the typical principle of the female figure portrayed in a frontal position, in size, in colour, in dress, and in the position of her arms, in a square, semi-circle, and rhombus shape, fundamental geometric forms or "hieroglyphics":
An agreement between the individual elements is created by the uniformly light-coloured background. Everything is woven together, the female figures blend into the surrounding architectural elements.
Another characteristic of Campigli's work is also the rigid division of the painting both vertically and horizontally. (from the notes of Eva Weiss for the catalogue of the Bianchedi-Bettoli/Vallunga Collection published in 2012 by the Bononia University Press).