Sigfrido Bartolini, an incisive engraver, painter, writer, and polemicist, has navigated the second half of the 20th century in Italy as a firm opponent of prevailing trends and fashions. His theoretical writings have been inseparable from his artistic practice, representing a mindset that stems from active creation rather than mere academic discourse. In the context of the new century, Bartolini boldly contributes to this tradition, articulating thoughts on the fate of visual arts amidst their conceptual dissolution in contemporary society.

The article’s title signals a clear stance; discussing a 'canon' in the early 2000s is a direct challenge to the overwhelming prevailing aesthetic relativism. This current mindset views any hierarchy of values as suspect and authoritarian, leading to a landscape where creativity is often diminished by lack of recognizable standards. Bartolini refuses to be cowed by such prohibitive notions, asserting that a canon, instead of being an imposition of taste, is an acknowledgment of enduring values—an essence of what has withstood the test of time, manifesting the visible form of a civilization that needs to be preserved.

Ultimately, Bartolini's discourse advocates for a recognition of artistic excellence that transcends temporal trends. He emphasizes the importance of establishing enduring artistic values that can guide contemporary practice while promoting a dialogue between past and present artistry. This reflection is not just a nostalgic yearning for continuity; it serves as a philosophical grounding for artists and thinkers who navigate the complexities of modern visual culture looking for meaning and direction amidst the chaos of dissolving concepts.