Monday, December 16, 2013

Portrait of Giovanni Fattori

Giovanni Fattori by Valmore Gemignani, Livorno
At the turn of the century, the young Valmore Gemignani (Carrara 1878 - Florence 1958) was studying sculpture with Antonio Bortone at the Accademia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts) in Florence and was also taking drawing classes with Giovanni Fattori. Between 1902 and 1903, after a request by the painter himself, he modeled the small bronze “Ritratto di Giovanni Fattori” (Portrait of Giovanni Fattori), which shows the renowned master in a natural pose quite typical of him, without any magniloquence.
Giovanni Fattori by Valmore Gemignani, Livorno
In 1925 the small bronze was used by the sculptor as a model for the Livornese statue, erected in a small square at the end of Via Vittorio Emanuele (now Via Grande). The monument barely escaped the ravages of the war and was placed for a long time in Villa Fabbricotti, where once was the Museo Fattori, now in Villa Mimbelli. The statue was replaced in its original location in 2008, for the hundredth anniversary of the death of the artist.

See also: Chili Pepper & Macchiaioli - Cisternino di città - Mazzini & Fattori - Villa Fabbricotti
External links: Antonio Bortone - Giovanni Fattori - Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze - Amedeo Modigliani (Wikipedia)

10 comments:

Jack said...

This statue is wonderful, VP. The painter has a modest, natural stance. He looks like the man down the street.

Randy said...

That is a wonderful sculpture.

Gunn said...

I like statues that are not to formal. He looks more relaxed than most statues I have seen out in public places.

cieldequimper said...

It makes me want to meet him (and clean his clothes).

Halcyon said...

I can imagine this statue as a real person. The artist must be very talented.

Dina said...

I'm glad they put the statue back. It is so nice. He looks like such a nice guy.

Luis Gomez said...

Wonderful post VP. Thank you.

Karl said...

Really a lovely sculpture, I wanted say the same thing as Jack.

Stefan Jansson said...

He sure looks like a painter.

Arianna said...

Giusto tributo a un grande della pittura! Ciao, Arianna