Inside Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo's restored studio in Volpedo
Aurora Scotti, the scientific director at the Pellizza Museums, takes readers on a tour of the renovated studio of Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo (1868–1907), renowned for his work 'Il Quarto Stato' (The Fourth Estate). Originally constructed in 1888 and expanded in 1896, the atelier was gifted to Volpedo in 1966 and reopened to the public in 1994. The restoration process uncovered a concealed architectural band and brought back Pellizza's original dark brown Siena earth hue. The studio still houses its original items, such as palettes, an easel, and a Warm Morning stove dating back to 1901. Pellizza's artistic evolution is showcased in the collection. 'Il Quarto Stato' (293 x 545 cm), acquired by Milan in 1920, illustrates a workers' protest in Volpedo and has been on display at the Galleria d'Arte Moderna since a new installation in 2022.
Key facts
- Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo (1868–1907) painted 'Il Quarto Stato'.
- The studio in via Rosano, Volpedo, was built in 1888 and expanded in 1896.
- The studio was donated to the municipality of Volpedo in 1966 and reopened in 1994.
- Aurora Scotti is the scientific director of the Pellizza Museums.
- The original color of the studio walls was dark brown Siena earth.
- The studio retains original items: palettes, easel, books, stove, plaster models.
- 'Il Quarto Stato' measures 293 x 545 cm and was purchased by Milan in 1920.
- The painting is displayed at Galleria d'Arte Moderna in Milan since 2022.
- Pellizza used local villagers as models for the painting.
- The studio's zenithal skylight was designed by Pellizza himself.
Entities
Artists
- Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo
Institutions
- Pellizza Museums
- Municipality of Volpedo
- Accademia di Brera
- Galleria d'Arte Moderna
- Municipality of Milan
- Lefranc
Locations
- Volpedo
- Italy
- via Rosano
- Piazza Malaspina
- Piazza Quarto Stato
- Milan