Composizione in arancio is an abstract painting created by Mario Radice in 1938. Radice (1898–1987) was an Italian painter born in Como and is recognised as a significant figure in early Italian abstract art.
The work exemplifies Radice’s commitment to abstraction during a period when European modernism was advancing rapidly. As a member of the Astrattisti Comaschi—a group of abstract artists from Como including Manlio Rho, Aldo Galli and Carla Badiali—Radice was among the first Italian artists to abandon figurative painting for abstract forms. He maintained close professional ties with leading Italian rationalist architects of the era, including Giuseppe Terragni, Carlo Lingeri, Alberto Sartoris and Luigi Cattaneo. Between 1933 and 1936, Radice created abstract frescoes for the Casa del Fascio in Como, designed by Terragni. Though these frescoes were destroyed at the end of World War II, photographic records survive.
About Mario Radice
Radice’s career spanned several decades, during which his work was regularly exhibited at the Venice Biennale from 1940 onwards, receiving dedicated personal room presentations on three occasions. His international reputation was established through his pioneering role in introducing abstract art to Italy during the 1930s.
Details
- Creator: Mario Radice
- Year: 1938
- Movement: Abstract art; Astrattisti Comaschi
- Medium: Painting
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mario Radice?
Mario Radice (1898–1987) was an Italian painter from Como who became a pioneering abstract artist. He was a founding member of the Astrattisti Comaschi and one of the first Italian artists to move from figurative to abstract art.
What movement did Radice belong to?
Radice was a central figure in the Astrattisti Comaschi, a group of abstract artists from Como. He was also closely associated with Italian rationalist architecture and artists working in the modernist movements of 1930s Europe.
Where is Como?
Como is a city in northern Italy, in the Lombardy region, situated on Lake Como. It was the birthplace and home base for Radice and the other Astrattisti Comaschi artists.
