Description of the Work: "Untitled, 1974-75" (Half Dollar Series) by Franco Angeli
The Rebel Eagle: "Half Dollar," Symbol and Criticism by Franco Angeli
"Untitled" is a historic and powerful work by Franco Angeli, created between 1974 and 1975, in acrylic on canvas, measuring 80 x 100 cm. Although formally "Untitled," this work belongs to the crucial thematic cycle of the "Half Dollar," a recurring motif that has become a hallmark of the Roman artist since the 1960s.
Angeli elevates the subject, the eagle on the US Half Dollar, to a tool of sociopolitical denunciation. The artist transforms the symbol of capitalism and imperialism into a critical icon, often redubbing it the "Roman Eagle" to establish an ironic connection between the ancient and contemporary empires.
The painting is an excellent example of Roman Pop Art, where the image of the eagle, a symbol of US power, is often depicted using glazing, duplication, or fragmentation techniques, reflecting the artist's critique of consumerism and political divisions. The work is a historic piece, its authenticity guaranteed by the Franco Angeli Archive, curated by Maria Angeli in Rome.
Franco Angeli Half Dollar: Untitled (1974-75), acrylic on canvas, 80 x 80 cm. Iconic piece of Roman Pop Art. Officially archived.
