Luigi Ontani's Romamor: A Journey Through Vergato
On January 27, 2020, following Arte Fiera, Ludovico Pratesi made a trip to the Emilia Apennines to see Luigi Ontani, who was born in Vergato in 1943. At Vergato station, Ontani's fountain 'RenVergatellAppeninMontovolo' displays a bronze satyr or faun that symbolizes the Reno River, alongside a winged youth perched on an egg encircled by a snake, drawing inspiration from Saint Christopher. In the late 1990s, he designed four stained-glass windows for Palazzo dei Capitani della Montagna, illustrating the town's history. The MuseOntani, which opened on April 7, 2019, features photographs and sculptures from the 1970s. The visit included a stop at Riola's Church of Santa Maria Assunta, noted for its rational design, and ended at his old elementary school, along with a look at his studio in Romamor villa, showcasing mosaic facades and pieces from his De Carlo gallery.
Key facts
- Luigi Ontani was born in Vergato in 1943.
- The fountain 'RenVergatellAppeninMontovolo' is located at Vergato station.
- The fountain features a bronze faun/satyr, a winged adolescent, an egg, a snake, and a Tritone face.
- Ontani created four stained-glass windows for the Palazzo dei Capitani della Montagna in the late 1990s.
- MuseOntani opened on April 7, 2019.
- Alvar Aalto designed the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Riola, built 1975-1980.
- Ontani's studio is in the Romamor villa, with mosaics by Costantino Buccolieri.
- Tullia Ontani is the custodian of the Romamor villa.
Entities
Artists
- Luigi Ontani
- Alvar Aalto
- Mario Tamburini
- Costantino Buccolieri
- Emilio Prini
- Ettore Spalletti
- Filippo de Pisis
- Jean Cocteau
- Giorgio Morandi
- Cesare Mattei
Institutions
- Arte Fiera
- Giuliani vetreria
- Galleria De Carlo
- Bottega Gatti
Locations
- Vergato
- Italy
- Emilia Apennines
- Bologna
- Pistoia
- Riola
- Riola di Vergato
- Rome
- Faenza
- Milan
- Grizzana
- Montovolo
- Reno River
- Vergatello stream
- Appennino
- Linea Gotica