Multiple embroidered in silk on damask

Enrico Baj’s Catherine de Vivonne Marquise de la Brosse is a striking mixed-media piece, embroidered with silk on damask fabric. The artwork features a highly stylized portrait of a figure with a fragmented face, depicted in bold, contrasting colors. The facial elements are exaggerated and abstracted, with large, asymmetrical features, a distinctive hat, and vibrant patterns that create a dynamic, playful aesthetic. Baj’s use of rich textures, particularly the embroidery, adds a tactile quality to the piece, elevating it from a flat image to a three-dimensional work. The intricate stitches form patterns that contrast with the traditional elegance of the damask, blending classical and contemporary elements in a way that is both whimsical and thought-provoking. This work, produced in a limited edition, reflects Baj’s ongoing interest in combining various media to challenge traditional representations of portraiture and identity.