Salustiano

Spanish artist Salustiano develops pictorial work meant to be a homage to the great masters of the Renaissance, depicting the human body from a hyperrealistic perspective. The artist takes away any background to focus entirely on the subject represented in the work. He highlights the person’s face in particular in search of revealing their true nature and soul.

The figures in Salustiano’s hyperrealistic paintings are drawn from everyday life, chosen for their ability to evoke a specific emotion. Despite working with real models, he emphasizes that his work does not depict these individuals as they are. Instead, the paintings present an idealized version of them, free from the burdens of disappointment or frustration.

This idealization gives the protagonists in the artwork a unique quality, akin to Dorian Gray in his portrait. Stripped of imperfections, they become universal reflections, inviting viewers to see themselves in the paintings. This mirroring effect is central to the artist’s vision: the figures are not mere subjects, but symbols of aspiration, embodying what the viewer might long to be.

Through the transformation of ordinary models into idealized forms, Salustiano creates a bridge between the personal and the universal. Each work becomes more than a portrait; it is an opportunity for viewers to engage with their own emotions and aspirations, making the art deeply resonant and profoundly human.