Solo show
Francesco Clemente: The Isa Upanishad
from 11 Aug 2016 at Metropolitan Museum of Art
· New York City
In 2016, the Metropolitan Museum of Art presented Francesco Clemente's "The Isa Upanishad", a body of work inspired by one of the oldest and most concise of the Upanishads — the ancient Sanskrit philosophical texts at the heart of Hindu thought.
Clemente, long celebrated for his ability to weave together Western and Eastern spiritual traditions, brings his characteristic intensity and lyrical imagery to this meditation on unity, impermanence, and the nature of the self. The works on view reflect his deep engagement with Indian culture and philosophy, a dialogue he has sustained throughout his career.
The exhibition offered visitors a rare opportunity to experience Clemente's distinctive neo-expressionist vision in dialogue with one of humanity's most enduring spiritual texts.
Clemente, long celebrated for his ability to weave together Western and Eastern spiritual traditions, brings his characteristic intensity and lyrical imagery to this meditation on unity, impermanence, and the nature of the self. The works on view reflect his deep engagement with Indian culture and philosophy, a dialogue he has sustained throughout his career.
The exhibition offered visitors a rare opportunity to experience Clemente's distinctive neo-expressionist vision in dialogue with one of humanity's most enduring spiritual texts.
About the artist
Francesco Clemente
1952 · contemporary art
Francesco Clemente is an Italian contemporary artist. He has lived at various times in Italy, India and New York City. Some of his work is influenced by the traditional art and culture of India. He has worked in various artistic media including drawing, fresco, graphics, mosaic, oils and sculpture…
About the artist →About the venue
Metropolitan Museum of Art
· New York City
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially referred to as the Met, is an encyclopedic art museum in New York City. By floor area, it is the fourth-largest museum in the world and the largest art museum in the Americas. With 5,727,258 visitors in fiscal year 2025, it was the most-visited museum in…
