Renato Tomassi: The Soldier-Painter Rediscovered
Renato Tomassi (1884, Subiaco – 1972, Rome) transitioned from a military path to pursue art after encountering painter Roberto Wellmann, who inspired him to study in Rome under Sigmund Lipinsky. He became part of the Deutsch-Römer group, drawing inspiration from Otto Greiner and Ferdinand Hodler. His early creations, such as a self-portrait from 1906, showcase influences from 16th-century German art. Between 1906 and 1910, he was active at Palazzo Venezia. A trip to Berlin in 1910 led him to meet Secession artists. His significant works include Ritratto della madre (1912). Serving as a 'painter-soldier' during WWI, he later focused on female portraits and landscapes. He exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1934 and created a mosaic for San Roberto Bellarmino. In 1937, Tomassi relocated to Germany and gained renewed attention in a 2017 exhibition.
Key facts
- Renato Tomassi was born in Subiaco in 1884 and died in Rome in 1972.
- He met painter Roberto Wellmann at a shooting tournament, which redirected his career.
- He studied under Sigmund Lipinsky in Rome and was influenced by Otto Greiner and Ferdinand Hodler.
- He joined the Deutsche Künstlerverein in Rome.
- His portrait Ritratto della madre (1912) is held at the Galleria Nazionale.
- He served as a painter-soldier in WWI, creating works like Ritratto di attendente (1917) and In posa (1918).
- He participated in the 1934 Venice Biennale with La mia famiglia (1932).
- He created the mosaic for the apse of San Roberto Bellarmino church in Rome in 1934.
- He moved to Germany in 1937 and died in Bad Berleburg.
- The 2017 exhibition at Galleria Berardi, curated by Matteo Piccioni, revived interest in his work.
Entities
Artists
- Renato Tomassi
- Roberto Wellmann
- Sigmund Lipinsky
- Otto Greiner
- Gino Severini
- Umberto Boccioni
- Hans Holbein the Younger
- August Kraus
- Max Liebermann
- Lovis Corinth
- Ferdinand Hodler
- Matteo Piccioni
- Clemente Busiri Vici
- Alfredo Bretschneider
- Federico Hermanin
- Giuseppe Latini
- Luigi Tomassi
- Marianna Giustiniani
- Irene Ibsen
Institutions
- Galleria Nazionale
- Palazzo Venezia
- Deutsche Künstlerverein
- Società degli Amatori e Cultori delle Belle Arti
- Teatro Nazionale
- Biennale di Venezia
- San Roberto Bellarmino
- Galleria Berardi
- Galleria Carlo Virgilio
Locations
- Subiaco
- Rome
- Italy
- Berlin
- Germany
- Potsdam
- Dresden
- Bad Berleburg
- Venice