ART | Italy (1961-1970)
Italy (1961-1970)
Keller moved his family to Rome, Italy in 1961, remaining there until 1973. This was a prolific period where he worked diligently in different mediums, evolving his style to accommodate his new surroundings and influences. Maintaining his draftsman's sensibility, he loosens his line and his brush strokes, exploring cubism, futurism and abstraction. This is notable in Cellist, 1965, Porta Portese, 1966, The Lovers, 1966, Abstraction #1, 1969 and Trattoria #3, 1972. In addition to graphite, ink, conte and oil paints he starts using ink washes, watercolors, casein, oil sticks and pastels.
Still politically engaged, as seen in Vittoria, 1963, Garibaldino, 1964, Figli di Dio, 1964 and The Missionaries, 1973. Keller is equally comfortable observing and recording a wide range of subject matter including portraits, landscapes, nudes and still lifes. Culturally influenced, he starts a "Smotherhood" series delving into the relationship between mothers and sons, as shown in Beach Games II.
The Crisp Museum holds a significant collection of Keller's Italian works.