A still life painted by Arturo Tosi between 1935 and 1940, this work represents the Italian painter’s venture into the genre during his maturity as an artist. Tosi, born in Busto Arsizio in 1871, was already an established figure in Italian modernism by the interwar period.
Tosi’s career had been shaped by his early studies at the Brera Academy in Milan and his formative contact with the Lombard artistic tradition. By the 1920s, he had become associated with Novecento Italiano, the dominant modernist movement of fascist-era Italy, participating in the movement’s exhibitions in Milan in 1926 and 1929 and in presentations abroad. Though best known for his landscape paintings of the valleys around Bergamo, Tosi’s practice encompassed still-life subjects, as evidenced by this work. His reputation as one of Italy’s most respected painters solidified during the 1930s, a position he maintained until his death in 1956.
About Arturo Tosi
Tosi attended the Brera Academy from 1890 to 1891 and made his debut at the 1st Esposizione Triennale di Belle Arti in 1891. He was introduced to influential critic Margherita Sarfatti in the 1920s and held his first solo exhibition in 1923 at the Galleria Pesaro in Milan. His participation in the Venice Biennale began in 1909 and continued uninterrupted throughout his life.
Details
- Artist: Arturo Tosi
- Date: 1935–40
- Movement: Novecento Italiano
- Genre: Still life
Frequently asked questions
Who was Arturo Tosi?
Arturo Tosi (1871–1956) was an Italian painter trained at the Brera Academy in Milan and known primarily for his landscape paintings. He became one of the most respected Italian painters from the 1930s onward and was an active member of the Novecento Italiano movement.
What was the Novecento Italiano movement?
Novecento Italiano was the dominant modernist movement in Italy during the interwar period. Tosi served on its governing committee and exhibited in its first and second exhibitions held in Milan in 1926 and 1929, as well as in international presentations of the movement.
What subjects did Tosi typically paint?
Tosi was best known for his landscapes, particularly those depicting the valleys around Bergamo in Lombardy. Though landscape was his primary focus, he also worked in other genres, including still life, as shown in this painting.