Alberto Martini: The Rediscovery of a Surrealist Precursor

Seventy years after his death, a series of initiatives is celebrating Alberto Martini (1876–1954), an Italian artist from Oderzo who is considered a precursor to Surrealism. Despite his refined draftsmanship and aristocratic upbringing, Martini never achieved widespread fame, though he was recognized by insiders. The scientific coordination is led by Carlo Sala, with exhibitions curated by Alessandro Botta and Paola Bonifacio. Martini was hailed as an 'Italian pen-and-ink genius' at his 1914 London show, the same year he exhibited at the 11th Venice Biennale, where he showed the pastel 'Arlecchino' alongside portraits of Countess Revedin and the eccentric Marchesa Luisa Casati. A Symbolist artist, he illustrated Dante's 'Divine Comedy' in 1901, Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth', poems by Paul Verlaine, and Mallarmé's 'Poemetti in prosa'. He participated in numerous Venice Biennales. A memorable 1919 exhibition was held at Galleria Pesaro in Milan. Fifteen years before his death, he wrote in his autobiography about conversing with ghosts in his studio. Notable works include illustrations inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. The exhibitions begin in Oderzo with 'Le storie straordinarie. Alberto Martini ed Edgar Allan Poe' at Palazzo Foscolo, and continue at Milan's Castello Sforzesco with 'Alberto Martini. La Danza Macabra', featuring about sixty drawings from the Gabinetto dei Disegni and Raccolta delle Stampe A. Bertarelli.