Vele al Vento is a 1925 painting by Pippo Rizzo, a Sicilian painter and sculptor who led the Futurist movement in Sicily. The work dates to the artist’s early period of engagement with Futurism, the avant-garde movement that emphasized dynamism, speed and modern subjects.
Rizzo was born in Corleone in 1897 and trained at the Accademia in Palermo under Ettore De Maria Bergler. After encountering Futurism during a visit to Rome, he became deeply committed to the movement and established a Futurist circle in his native town. He played a central role in organizing the National Futurist Exhibition in Palermo in 1927 and maintained close contact with Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the movement’s founder. His works were first shown at the Venice Biennale in 1926 and again in 1928, marking his recognition at the national level.
About Pippo Rizzo
Giuseppe Rizzo (1897–1964) was a painter and sculptor instrumental in bringing Futurism to Sicily. From the late 1920s onwards, he shifted his artistic focus toward Novecento Italiano aesthetics, aligning with broader currents in Italian modernism of the period.
Details
- Creator: Pippo Rizzo
- Year: 1925
- Medium: Painting
- Movement: Futurism
- Artist’s active region: Sicily
Frequently asked questions
Who was Pippo Rizzo?
Giuseppe Rizzo, known as Pippo (1897–1964), was a Sicilian painter and sculptor born in Corleone. He was the leading figure of Sicilian Futurism and organized the National Futurist Exhibition in Palermo in 1927.
What movement does this work represent?
Vele al Vento belongs to Futurism, the Italian avant-garde movement that Rizzo encountered in Rome and subsequently championed in Sicily. The painting dates to his early Futurist period, before his transition to Novecento Italiano in the 1930s.
When was this painting first exhibited?
Rizzo’s works were first shown publicly at the Venice Biennale in 1926, the year following the creation of Vele al Vento, establishing his presence in the national artistic discourse.
