Ida Donati, the Forgotten Pupil of Felice Casorati, Resurfaces at Auction

Ida Pia Donati Formiggini (1881-1956), a painter hailing from Modena, trained under Felice Casorati at the Accademia Albertina di Torino. She established the "Scuola di Casorati," nurturing talents like Silvio Avondo, Nella Marchesini, and Paola Levi Montalcini. A widow of socialist deputy Pio Donati, who passed away in exile in Brussels in 1927, she created works featuring nudes, still lifes, and antique items in a metaphysical style, often utilizing both sides of the canvas. Her artistic journey reached a high point in 1936 with an invitation to the Venice Biennale, followed by a solo exhibition at Galleria d'Arte Genova in 1937, organized by F.M. Bongiovanni. Recently, five of her pieces were rediscovered at Il Ponte auction house in Milan, curated by Elia Gaetano, showcasing her overlooked artistry.