The principle theme of Ludovico Della Rocca’s work is the fusion of reality and the imagined. Using techniques he has studied over many years, inspired by artists of the Italian Renaissance, Della Rocca creates paintings which require us to study them not just with our eyes but also with our minds.

Classical subjects such as the myths of Ancient Greece and Rome are depicted in a new light. Figures such as Diana, the goddess of the moon and mistress of the hunt have captured the imagination of Della Rocca. He paints out of a desire to understand and expand upon the complex interwoven legends of the past. In 2003 Della Rocca was invited to exhibit at the ‘Villa Campolieto di Ercolano’. Ercolano is the most fascinating and well preserved ancient Roman town on the Naples peninsula, a perfect setting for Della Rocca’s work.

Following this exhibition Della Rocca has been in demand throughout Italy, France the USA and Britain, in March 2005 he had a sell out show in Naples sponsored by Diapason. This was swiftly followed by another one man show ‘Favole e colori’ (Fairy tales and colours).

In more recent work Ludovico Della Rocca assembles isolated fragments to be interpreted. Items such as sea shells, winged horses and anonymous female figures are arranged in a strangely harmonious way. The seemingly disparate objects appear to fit together in a strange dreamlike reality – we the viewer are invited to unravel the meaning implicit in each exquisitely painted item

Della Rocca’s refined technique of painting has taken a lifetime to develop and perfect. Starting with a glass smooth gessoed panel he marks out his composition. Over months he builds up translucent layers of paint, this slow arduous method of working gives luminosity to his work. The close ties between composition, conception and execution are the fundamental reason for the success of these exquisite paintings.