Carlo Donati: The Forgotten Sacred Art Painter Who Posed Pope Benedict XV
A retrospective on Italian sacred art painter Carlo Donati (Verona, 1874 – 1949) is currently showcased by Ludovico Pratesi on Artribune. Donati, who studied under Napoleone Nani, rose to prominence following the 1900 Turin competition, particularly with his piece 'Il Cardinale Luigi di Canossa'. He began exhibiting widely in 1905, earning a gold medal for 'Madonna dei mulini' at the 1908 Esposizione d'arte sacra di Verona and securing first prize at the Biennale di Verona for 'Battesimo di Zeno Bachit'. His mural work commenced in 1902, with significant frescoes in the Cappella dei Caduti (1919) and the apse of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. After World War I, his focus shifted to simpler subjects aimed at less educated viewers.
Key facts
- Carlo Donati was born in Verona in 1874 and died in 1949.
- He studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti Cignaroli under Napoleone Nani.
- In 1900, he participated in a national competition in Turin with 'Il Cardinale Luigi di Canossa' and 'Testa di Cristo'.
- He exhibited at the Esposizione internazionale di Milano (1906), Venice Biennale (1907), and Esposizione d'arte sacra di Verona (1908).
- His 'Madonna dei mulini' won a gold medal in 1908.
- He won first prize at the Biennale di Verona (1908) for 'Battesimo di Zeno Bachit'.
- He began mural painting in 1902 with frescoes in San Francesco alle Stimmate, Verona.
- He painted the Cappella dei Caduti in San Luca, Verona, in 1919, including a Via Crucis cycle.
- He received a commission in Ravenna after World War I, where Pope Benedict XV posed for him.
- He was no longer invited to the Venice Biennale after 1935.
- He expressed his artistic philosophy in a quote about painting for the uneducated and simple.
- The article was written by Ludovico Pratesi and published on Artribune.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Donati
- Napoleone Nani
- Andrea Mantegna
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- Ludovico Pratesi
Institutions
- Accademia di Belle Arti Cignaroli
- Artribune
- Venice Biennale
- Esposizione internazionale di Milano
- Esposizione d'arte sacra di Verona
- Biennale di Verona
- Church of San Francesco alle Stimmate
- Church of San Luca
- Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Locations
- Verona
- Italy
- Turin
- Milan
- Venice
- Ravenna
- Azzago di Grezzana
- Santa Croce del Bleggio
- Veneto
- Trentino