The Vatican Trilogy

A collection of three distinct artworks—Drawing, Abstract, and Digital—personally presented to Pope Francis between 2018 and 2022.

About the Piece

A Dialogue Between Eras

Between 2018 and 2022, I embarked on an unprecedented creative journey that resulted in the presentation of three distinct artworks to Pope Francis. This trilogy is more than a series of gifts; it is a chronological narrative of my own artistic evolution, capturing the transition from the rigorous discipline of classical fine art to the limitless possibilities of the digital realm.

Each piece in the trilogy represents a specific era of thought and technique. The first, rooted in the academic tradition of charcoal, speaks to the weight of history and human introspection. The second, an abstract exploration in acrylic and resin, addresses our visceral connection to the natural world. The final piece, a digital 3D animation minted as an NFT, embraces the future of technology and its role in global education.

Together, these works form a dialogue between the human and the divine, the tangible and the virtual. Delivering them personally at the Vatican and in Rome marked profound milestones in my career, cementing my belief that art remains our most powerful tool for bridging tradition with innovation.

2018 · Saint Jerome · Charcoal on Paper

I. The Foundation

The trilogy begins with a return to fundamental academic principles. "Saint Jerome" is a meticulous study in charcoal, a medium that demands absolute precision, patience, and a profound understanding of light and shadow. The piece focuses on the solemnity of wisdom, the burden of knowledge, and the quiet power of contemplation.

Representing the pinnacle of academic discipline, this artwork was the first to be presented. Delivering it hand-in-hand to Pope Francis within the walls of Vatican City established a foundational bond—one rooted in the deep appreciation of human expression in its most raw, traditional, and unmediated form.

The Moment

Vatican City, 2018. The inaugural presentation, establishing a bond through classical art.

2019 • Deep in the Cove • Acrylic & Resin

II. The Expansion

A year later, the artistic dialogue expanded from the internal self to the external world. "Deep in the Cove", a central piece of the "Naturaleza Brava" series, abandons representational form for pure, visceral abstraction. Utilizing a dynamic interplay of acrylics and resin, the artwork captures the raw, untamed power and depth of the ocean.

This piece was presented during the Synod for the Amazon, serving as a visual metaphor for the urgent need to protect our natural ecosystems. It marked a crucial shift in my portfolio—moving away from the human figure to explore the elemental forces of creation, and acknowledging our collective responsibility to the planet.

The Moment

Vatican City, 2019. A presentation coinciding with the Synod for the Amazon, focusing on environmental stewardship.

2022 • Aulas Abiertas • Digital 3D (NFT)

III. The Future

The final installment of the trilogy boldly embraces the unknown frontier of Web3. "Aulas Abiertas" (Open Classrooms) is a surreal, looping 3D animation created for Scholas Occurrentes. At its center floats a school desk—a universal symbol of learning—surrounded by dynamic elements representing art, sport, and technology, illustrating that true education transcends physical walls.

Presented at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, this digital artwork served as a smart contract of trust, funding educational projects worldwide. It closed the artistic circle: evolving from the tangible dust of charcoal to the ethereal pixels of the blockchain, proving that ancient institutions and cutting-edge innovation can unite to foster global connection.

The Moment

Rome, 2022. Bridging the Vatican and the digital frontier through blockchain technology.