Giuseppe Vaccaro: The Architect Who Lightened Italian Rationalism
Giuseppe Vaccaro (1896–1970) is renowned for his work on the Palazzo delle Poste in Naples, constructed between 1928 and 1936, which received acclaim from Marcello Piacentini. His genuine artistry flourished as he moved away from Piacentini's influence, adopting Benedetto Croce's aesthetic principles. The II Esposizione dell'Architettura Razionale in 1931 showcased the tension between rationalists (MIAR) and traditionalists, with Mussolini's initial backing for rationalists. MIAR disbanded in July 1931, leading to the creation of RAMI under Alberto Calza Bini, which Vaccaro joined in 1932, collaborating with Adalberto Libera and Mario De Renzi on projects like the Auditorio a Porta Capena (1935). His significant achievement was the Colonia marina dell'Agip in Cesenatico (1936–1938). After the war, he designed the church of Sant'Antonio Abate (1949–1951) and a nursery school in Piacenza (1953–1955).
Key facts
- Giuseppe Vaccaro is best known for the Palazzo delle Poste in Naples (1928–1936).
- Marcello Piacentini praised the building for its 'absolute unity' and 'definitive monumentality.'
- Vaccaro worked in Piacentini's studio from 1922–1923.
- In 1931, the II Esposizione dell'Architettura Razionale featured the 'Tavolo degli orrori' attacking Piacentini and Calza Bini.
- Mussolini initially supported the rationalists but later backed conservatives.
- MIAR dissolved in July 1931; RAMI was formed by Calza Bini.
- Vaccaro joined RAMI in 1932 despite earlier criticism of group formations.
- Vaccaro collaborated with Adalberto Libera and Mario De Renzi on the Auditorio a Porta Capena (1935) and Casa Littoria.
- His Colonia marina dell'Agip in Cesenatico (1936–1938) is considered a masterpiece of Italian rationalism.
- Postwar works include the church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Recoaro Terme (1949–1951) and the nursery school in Piacenza (1953–1955).
- Denise Scott Brown apprenticed with Vaccaro in 1956.
- Vaccaro collaborated with Pier Luigi Nervi and published studies on geometric harmony in architecture in 1952.
Entities
Artists
- Giuseppe Vaccaro
- Marcello Piacentini
- Alberto Calza Bini
- Mario De Renzi
- Luigi Moretti
- Mario Paniconi
- Giulio Pediconi
- Giuseppe Samonà
- Giuseppe Terragni
- Luigi Figini
- Gino Pollini
- Giuseppe Pagano
- Adalberto Libera
- Gio Ponti
- Le Corbusier
- Robert Venturi
- Denise Scott Brown
- Pier Luigi Nervi
- Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi
- Benedetto Croce
- Pietro Maria Bardi
- Benito Mussolini
Institutions
- MIAR (Movimento Italiano per l'Architettura Razionale)
- RAMI (Raggruppamento Architetti Moderni Italiani)
- Sindacato Nazionale Fascista Architetti
- Galleria d'Arte di Roma
- Agip
- Ina-casa
- Spazio (magazine)
- Artribune
Locations
- Naples
- Italy
- Rome
- Bologna
- Cesenatico
- Recoaro Terme
- Foggia
- Piacenza
- Porta Capena
- Aventino