Fausto Melotti

Key facts

Lived

1901–1986^[1]

Works held in

6 museums

Wikipedia

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• What is Fausto Melotti's most famous work?+

  Fausto Melotti, born in Rovereto in 1901^[1], was an Italian artist known for his sculpture and ceramics. He studied physics and mathematics at Pisa, then electronic engineering in Milan. He also studied music. Later, he enrolled at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, where he met Lucio Fontana, who became a lifelong friend. In 1935^[1], Melotti had his first solo show of abstract sculptures at the Galleria del Milione in Milan. These constructions, made of gesso or metal, were ordered by proportions of the Golden Section and musical counterpoint. The exhibition was a critical failure, and Melotti then worked as a ceramist. He also produced sculptures on commission, mostly figurative pieces. After the Second World War, Melotti created Small Theatres: multicoloured terracotta constructions. During the 1950s, he won awards for his ceramics, including gold medals from Prague and Munich. His work from the 1960s used delicate wire mesh and cloth. These sculptures were not exhibited until 1967, but he soon gained critical success. Examples of his work include Josephine Baker (1962), The Watchmaker's House (1960), and The Journey (1961). Melotti died in Milan in 1986^[1].
• What should I know about Fausto Melotti's prints?+

  Fausto Melotti, born in Rovereto in 1901^[1], is known for his sculpture and ceramics, but he also produced prints. He initially trained in physics, mathematics, and music before studying sculpture at the Accademia di Brera in Milan. In 1935^[1], Melotti had his first solo show of abstract sculptures at the Galleria del Milione in Milan. These works, often constructed from gesso or metal, were structured around the Golden Section and musical counterpoint. The show's failure led him to work as a ceramicist and produce sculptures only on commission. After 1945, his work moved away from geometric abstraction. During the 1960s, he created sculptures from wire mesh and cloth, introducing a kinetic element. Examples of his sculptural work include "II viaggio (The Journey,)" "Reti (Nets)," and "Josephine Baker." His sculptures often incorporate brass, bronze, and painted wood. He gained recognition later in his career, receiving the Premio Rembrandt in 1973 and the Feltrinelli award for sculpture in 1976. Melotti died in Milan in 1986^[1].
• What style or movement did Fausto Melotti belong to?+

  Fausto Melotti (1901^[1]-1986^[1]) supported the Abstraction-Création movement, signing the manifesto of the ‘Prima mostra collettiva d'arte astratta italiana’ in Turin in 1935^[1]. This group aimed to bring Italian art and architecture into dialogue with the European avant-garde, countering nationalistic cultural policies. Carlo Belli, a theorist and supporter of the group, was Melotti’s cousin. Melotti was also associated with the Galleria del Milione in Milan, where he had his first solo show of abstract sculptures in 1935. These gesso or metal constructions were ordered by the proportions of the Golden Section and the geometries of musical counterpoint. After the critical failure of the exhibition, Melotti worked as a ceramicist and produced sculptures on commission. He concentrated on ceramics for nearly twenty years. In the 1940s, Melotti produced small sculptures and functional objects, wavering between the abstract and the figurative. After twenty years devoted to ceramics, he returned to sculpture in other mediums in the 1960s.
• What techniques or materials did Fausto Melotti use?+

  Fausto Melotti was born in Rovereto in 1901^[1]. He trained as an engineer, but also studied sculpture at the Accademia di Brera in Milan. His early abstract sculptures of the 1930s employed materials such as gesso or metal. These constructions were ordered by the proportions of the Golden Section and musical geometries. After a poor reception, Melotti worked for twenty years as a ceramicist. He created small sculptures and functional objects, and collaborated with Gio Ponti on large commissions using blue and white ceramic tiles. He won awards for his ceramics in the 1950s. Melotti returned to sculpture in the 1960s, abandoning ceramics. His works from this period often used delicate wire mesh and cloth. He also worked in brass and bronze; examples include Josephine Baker (1962^[1]), The Journey (1961), and Nets (1961).
• What was Fausto Melotti known for?+

  Fausto Melotti, born in Rovereto in 1901^[1], is known for his sculptures, poems, and work as a ceramicist. He initially studied physics and mathematics at Pisa university, then electronic engineering at Milan polytechnic, graduating in 1924^[1]. He also studied music. Later, he enrolled at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, studying sculpture under Adolfo Wildt. There, he met Lucio Fontana, who became a lifelong friend. In 1935, Melotti had his first solo show of abstract sculptures at the Galleria del Milione in Milan. These constructions, made of gesso or metal, were ordered by proportions of the Golden Section and musical counterpoint. After the show's failure, Melotti worked as a ceramicist and produced sculptures on commission. These were mostly figurative, such as marble bas-reliefs for the Palazzo della Giustizia in Milan (1937-9). After the Second World War, he produced the Small Theatres: multicoloured terracotta constructions subdivided by walls and floors. During the 1950s, he won awards for his ceramics. His later sculptures used delicate wire mesh and cloth, introducing a kinetic element.
• When did Fausto Melotti live and work?+

  Fausto Melotti was born on 8 June 1901^[1], in Rovereto (South Tirol). In 1916^[1], his family relocated to Florence. He studied physics and mathematics at Pisa University in 1918; however, he graduated in electronic engineering from Milan polytechnic college in 1924. After military service, he enrolled at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, studying sculpture under Adolfo Wildt, where he met Lucio Fontana. In 1932, he began teaching at the Scuola Artigianale del Mobile, near Milan. With Fontana and others, he supported the Abstraction-Création movement in Paris. Melotti signed the manifesto of the ‘Prima mostra collettiva d'arte astratta italiana’ in Turin in 1935. That same year, he had his first solo show of abstract sculptures at the Galleria del Milione in Milan. Between 1941 and 1943, Melotti resided in Rome, working on figure groups for the ‘Esposizione Universale Roma (E. U. R. '42)’, which was later aborted. A collection of his poems, // triste Minotauro, was published in 1944. After the war, he produced Small Theatres: multicoloured terracotta constructions. During the 1950s, he received awards for his ceramics. In 1967, he gained critical success with a solo show at the Galleria Toninelli, Milan. He died in Milan on 22 June 1986^[1].
• Where can I see Fausto Melotti's work?+

  Fausto Melotti's sculptures and other works are held in numerous private collections, many of which are located in Milan. For example, the Melotti Collection in Milan holds La casa dell'orologiaio ('The Watchmaker's House', 1960^[1]). Marta Melotti, also in Milan, owns II viaggio (1961), as well as necklaces from around 1950 and prototypes for brooches from 1959-60. Other private collections in Milan hold works such as Alu tome presto stridono i venti, misti alia fredda pioggia autunnal... (1966) and Uomini (1966). Other private collections are located elsewhere; one in Norara holds Sol6 coi cerchi (1944), and another in Km. Neu holds Josephine Baker (1962). Cristina Melotti in New York owns Le mam (1947).
• Where was Fausto Melotti from?+

  Fausto Melotti was born in Rovereto (South Tirol) on 8 June 1901^[1]. In 1916^[1], his family relocated to Florence, where he completed his secondary education. He began studying physics and mathematics at Pisa university in 1918. However, he eventually graduated in electronic engineering from Milan polytechnic in 1924. During these years, he also studied music. After military service, he pursued sculpture at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, studying with Adolfo Wildt. There, he met Lucio Fontana, who became a lifelong friend. In 1932, Melotti took a teaching position at the Scuola Artigianale del Mobile near Milan. With Fontana, Licini, and others, he supported the Abstraction-Création movement in Paris. He signed the manifesto of the ‘Prima mostra collettiva d'arte astratta italiana’ in Turin in 1935. Melotti's cousin, Carlo Belli, was a theorist and supporter of the group. Melotti was associated with the Galleria del Milione in Milan, where he had his first solo show of abstract sculptures in 1935. He died in Milan on 22 June 1986^[1].
• Who did Fausto Melotti influence?+

  Fausto Melotti's influence can be seen in the work of Leoncillo Leonardi, particularly in Leoncillo's expressive approach to ceramics. Both Melotti and Lucio Fontana explored the reconciliation of art and craft, a debate that included architecture, in the 1950s. Melotti's early career involved him with the Abstraction-Création movement in Paris. He supported bringing Italian art and architecture into dialogue with the European avant-garde, countering nationalistic cultural policies. His abstract sculptures, devoid of representational elements, were ordered by proportions of the Golden Section and musical counterpoint. After a critical failure of his exhibition in 1935^[1], Melotti worked as a ceramicist, producing figurative pieces on commission, such as bas-reliefs for Marcello Piacentini's Palazzo della Giustizia in Milan (1937-39). He also created figure groups for the Esposizione Universale Roma (EUR '42), a project that was cut short by the war. Melotti's work was inspired by musical counterpoint, and his later sculptures incorporated wire mesh and cloth, introducing a kinetic element.
• Who influenced Fausto Melotti?+

  Fausto Melotti's artistic development involved several influences. He studied under Adolfo Wildt at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, where he met Lucio Fontana, who became a lifelong friend. Melotti, along with Fontana and others, supported the Abstraction-Création movement in Paris. They aimed to integrate Italian art and architecture with the European avant-garde, countering the Fascist regime's nationalistic cultural policies. Carlo Belli, Melotti's cousin, was a theorist and supporter of the group. Musical counterpoint inspired Melotti's work. His abstract sculptures, devoid of representational elements, were ordered by the Golden Section's proportions and musical counterpoint's formal geometries. In ceramics, Melotti can be seen as a successor to Gio Ponti's artistic vision. There were many connections between Melotti and Fontana, aside from their esteem and respect for each other; they shared a love for ceramics.
• Who was Fausto Melotti?+

  Fausto Melotti (1901^[1]-1986^[1]) was an Italian artist, born in Rovereto. He studied physics and mathematics at Pisa University, then electronic engineering at Milan polytechnic, graduating in 1924^[1]. He also studied music. After military service, he enrolled at the Accademia di Brera in Milan, studying sculpture under Adolfo Wildt; there, he met Lucio Fontana, who became a lifelong friend. In 1932, Melotti began teaching at the Scuola Artigianale del Mobile, Cantu, near Milan. He supported the Abstraction-Création movement in Paris with Fontana, Licini, and others. They aimed to bring Italian art and architecture into dialogue with the European avant-garde, countering nationalistic cultural policies. Melotti's cousin, Carlo Belli, was a theorist and supporter of the group. Melotti's first solo show of abstract sculptures was in 1935 at Galleria del Milione, Milan. These gesso or metal constructions were ordered by the Golden Section proportions and musical counterpoint's formal geometries. After the exhibition's critical failure, Melotti worked as a ceramicist and produced sculptures on commission. His post-war work was inspired by musical counterpoint. His 1960s works used wire mesh and cloth, introducing a kinetic element. He gained critical success later in his career, with a solo show at the Galleria Toninelli, Milan, in 1967.
• Why are Fausto Melotti's works important today?+

  Fausto Melotti's sculptures and ceramics are significant for their innovative approach to form and material. Initially working in ceramics during the 1940s and 1950s, Melotti created both small sculptures and functional objects, moving between abstraction and figuration. He collaborated with Gio Ponti on projects such as the Alitalia terminals in Milan and New York in 1954^[1], where they used blue and white ceramic tiles. Melotti's ceramic work is considered an expression of "silent search and inner elaboration". Although he treated ceramics as a game, this period allowed him to develop the innovative force seen in his later sculpture. After 1960, Melotti returned to sculpture using other materials, including brass and bronze. His sculptures from the 1960s include works such as "Josephine Baker" (1962), "The Journey" (1961), and "Oh How Quickly the Winds Screech" (1966). These pieces demonstrate his exploration of form and space, and his ability to integrate artistic inspiration with the properties of his chosen materials.