Luigi Spazzapan: The Anarchic Artist in the Tazartes Collection
The second feature of the Tazartes Collection highlights Luigi Spazzapan (18 April 1889 – 18 February 1958), an influential artist from early 20th-century Turin. He arrived in 1928 and was first commissioned for the Chemistry Pavilion at the International Exposition. Although he formed friendships with the Gruppo dei Sei, he maintained his artistic independence. Critic Edoardo Persico remarked on Turin's European essence, while Spazzapan articulated his artistic vision in the 1935 Quadriennale catalogue. After losing his home in 1942, he rebounded by 1945, moving towards abstraction. In 1947, he organized 'Arte italiana oggi – Premio Torino' and achieved notable solo exhibitions in 1948. He participated in the Turin exhibitions of 1951 and 1953 and began teaching in 1954, passing away in 1958, leaving behind a legacy of artistic freedom.
Key facts
- Luigi Spazzapan was born in Gradisca d'Isonzo on 18 April 1889 and died in Turin on 18 February 1958.
- He arrived in Turin in 1928 and was initially commissioned to decorate the Chemistry Pavilion at the 1928 International Exposition, but the task went to Gigi Chessa.
- He befriended the painters of the Gruppo dei Sei (Carlo Levi, Enrico Paulucci, Gigi Chessa, Francesco Menzio, Nicola Galante, Jessie Boswell) but remained independent.
- In 1935 he wrote in the catalogue of the Second Quadriennale d'Arte Nazionale in Rome: 'I believe only in flair, in inspiration... in the pure song of color.'
- In 1936 he was invited to the XX Venice Biennale, bringing him success.
- In 1942 a fire destroyed his home, including thirty oil and tempera paintings and hundreds of drawings and watercolors.
- In 1947 he organized the exhibition 'Arte italiana oggi – Premio Torino' at Palazzo Madama with Mastroianni, Bargis, Moreni, and Sottsass jr.
- In 1954 he had a personal room at the XXVII Venice Biennale and was appointed to teach at the School of Art in Modena.
- He died suddenly in 1958, leaving his art in full development.
Entities
Artists
- Luigi Spazzapan
- Carlo Levi
- Enrico Paulucci
- Gigi Chessa
- Francesco Menzio
- Nicola Galante
- Jessie Boswell
- Umberto Mastroianni
- Mino Maccari
- Alberto Sartoris
- Prampolini
- Fillia
- Diulgheroff
- Lionello Venturi
- Edoardo Persico
- Linuccia Saba
- Luigi Carluccio
- Argan
- Bargis
- Moreni
- Sottsass jr.
- Umberto Cuzzi
Institutions
- Gruppo dei Sei
- Circolo Artistico Goriziano
- Movimento Futurista Giuliano
- La Gazzetta del Popolo
- Il Selvaggio
- XX Biennale di Venezia
- Seconda Quadriennale d'Arte Nazionale di Roma
- Palazzo Madama
- Galleria L'Annunciata
- La Bussola
- Scuola d'Arte di Modena
- Liceo Artistico di Torino
- Collezione Tazartes
Locations
- Gradisca d'Isonzo
- Italy
- Turin
- Gorizia
- Vienna
- Austria
- Florence
- Venice
- Rome
- Milan
- Modena
Sources
- Artslife —