Since ancient times, candles have represented much more than a light source. Their small flame, capable of providing energy with a gentle glow, has always fascinated humanity, holding profound symbolic and cultural significance. In its many forms, the candle has become an iconic element, evoking evocative atmospheres, igniting passions, and fostering reflections.
Beyond its inherent charm, the candle is an intriguing subject of study for various scientific disciplines. Chemistry explores the combustion principles that generate the flame, physics examines the resulting phenomena of light and heat, while psychology investigates the connection between flickering light and our emotions.
Candlelight: a journey through Art History
Candles have found expression in numerous art forms, spanning centuries and engaging with diverse cultural movements.
From sacred art to still life: the candle as iconography
In ancient sacred art, its holy light illuminated religious scenes, symbolizing divine presence and purity of the soul. A notable example is Gerard David’s “The Nativity,” where a lit candle illuminates the Virgin Mary’s face. In the still lives of masters like Caravaggio and Georges de La Tour, the candle becomes the focal point, creating dramatic light and shadow effects that enhance the realism of the compositions.
In Flemish painting, candles are often used to create light and shadow effects, as seen in Jan van Eyck’s “Arnolfini Portrait,” where the foreground candle represents not only a light source but also a symbol of faith and purity.
Modernity and provocation: the candle in contemporary art
Modern and contemporary art have reimagined the candle in innovative and provocative ways. Artists have repurposed candles with humour, sophistication, and invention, transforming this object into “something else.” Marina Abramović, in her performances, uses the flame as an element of personal exploration, delving into themes like vulnerability and spirituality.
Olafur Eliasson, with his work “I grew up in solitude and silence”, creates an artwork that reflects on the perception of time through a burning candle, splitting the narrative between present experience and the anticipation of future scenarios. On the other hand, Urs Fischer subverts the candle concept with his ironic and provocative works. His wax sculptures often depict everyday objects like bananas, light bulbs, or iconic statues, slowly melting to symbolize the transient nature of time and the fragility of existence. Gerhard Richter contemplates the candle in his work “Kerze,” where a lit candle is painted photorealistically, creating an optical illusion that invites viewers to reflect on the nature of reality.
Michelangelo Pistoletto, with his piece “Candele,” reinterprets the object in a minimalist key, using mirrors to create an installation that reflects light and the surrounding environment, inviting reflection on the multiplicity and relativity of perception.
The candle in Design
From baroque candelabras to contemporary minimalist creations, the candle has always added personality and atmosphere to spaces with immediate simplicity.
From Philippe Starck to Fornasetti: the candle between tradition and modernity
Philippe Starck, with his playful spirit, colours candles with bright hues and gives them sinuous shapes, transforming them into playful and unconventional design statements. Fornasetti, master of mystery, wraps the candle in a veil of surreal suggestions, evoking dreamlike atmospheres that capture the essence of his artistic practice.
Michele De Lucchi celebrates tradition with a candle-shaped lamp, where Murano-blown glass and metal intertwine in a play of light and technology. Sonia Pedrazzini pays homage to Giorgio Morandi, master of silence, creating candles that echo his colour palette and essential simplicity. Ingo Maurer, with his unique imagination, makes candles float in space, creating luminous scenographies that defy gravity and captivate the gaze. Luca Nichetto reinterprets classics, transforming sculptural busts into contemporary candleholders, a dialogue between ancient and new that celebrates the history of design.
Timeless charm
In a world increasingly dominated by artificial light and technology, it might seem that candles are destined to disappear. Yet, their ancient charm and ability to evoke deep emotions continue to fascinate and attract. The candle, a symbol of simplicity and authenticity, with its warm, flickering light atop a wax pillar, remains a favoured object for artists and designer today.
