Introduction
Felice Casorati (1883-1963) was one of the most significant Italian artists of the twentieth century, renowned for his distinctive approach to figurative painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Born in Novara and active primarily in Turin, Casorati became a leading figure in the “return to order” movement that emerged in post-war Italian art. His work is celebrated for its intellectual rigor, classical references, and enigmatic qualities that bridge the gap between realism and metaphysical abstraction.
Biography
Felice Casorati was born on December 4, 1883, in Novara, a city in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. He was born into a distinguished family known for its mathematicians, lawyers, and doctors, but despite these academic traditions, young Felice demonstrated an early passion for music. However, a serious illness during his youth forced him to abandon his studies of piano and redirect his talents toward the visual arts. To honor his family’s expectations, Casorati pursued legal studies and successfully graduated in law from the University of Padua in 1906. Nevertheless, his true vocation remained painting, a dream that was validated when his work was exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1907, marking the official beginning of his artistic career.
Casorati’s early artistic style was naturalistic in character, influenced by the Symbolist movement and the Vienna Secession. After 1910, his work came under the profound influence of Gustav Klimt, whose compositions and visionary approach significantly shaped Casorati’s artistic direction. His continued participation in the Venice Biennale in 1909 and 1910 allowed him to study Klimt’s work firsthand, an experience that resonated deeply in paintings such as “The Dream of the Pomegranate,” presented at the First International Art Exhibition of the Secession in Rome in 1913. During the years 1911 to 1915, Casorati lived in Verona, where he co-founded the magazine “La Via Lattea” with fellow artists and contributed illustrations in the Art Nouveau style, establishing himself as an important voice in Italian modernism.
Casorati’s military service in World War I began in 1915 and concluded following his father’s death. In 1918, he settled in Turin, drawn to what he described as its “decadent atmosphere” and “sinister views.” It was in Turin that his artistic practice underwent a significant transformation, becoming emblematic of the “return to order” movement—a post-war artistic trend that emphasized geometric clarity and formal structure as a reaction to the chaos and destruction of the war. During the 1920s and 1930s, Casorati’s paintings were characterized by their emphasis on geometry, volumetric form, and classical composition, drawing inspiration from Renaissance masters, particularly Piero della Francesca. His 1922 portrait “Silvana Cenni,” depicting a seated woman in a white dress with meticulous symmetry, remains one of his most celebrated works. The careful rendering of volumes in this composition paradoxically creates a sense of unreality—a distinctive characteristic of Casorati’s art that connects him to the metaphysical painters of his era.
Despite a brief arrest in 1923 for his involvement with an anti-Fascist group, Casorati managed to navigate the political complexities of fascist Italy without further serious consequences. He opened his studio to young art students in Turin and emerging Italian artists, becoming an influential mentor to the next generation of painters. After 1930, the severity of his earlier style gradually softened, and his palette brightened, though his commitment to formal clarity remained constant. Casorati continued to exhibit widely and received numerous accolades, including the First Prize at the Venice Biennale of 1938. His work “Carità di San Martino” (1939) is housed in the Museo cantonale d’arte of Lugano, exemplifying his mature style.
Beyond painting, Casorati’s artistic practice was remarkably multifaceted. He worked extensively in engraving, sculpture, mosaic, and theatrical set and costume design. He created polychrome heads for the Roman Secessions, friezes and statues for the Gualino theater, and mosaics for the Brussels Exhibition of 1934 and the VI Triennale of Milan in 1936. His theatrical designs were featured at prestigious venues including the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Venice Festival, the Eliseo in Rome, and the Piccolo Teatro in Milan. Felice Casorati passed away in Turin on March 1, 1963, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced Italian modernism and twentieth-century art more broadly.
Archive Felice Casorati
Felice Casorati’s artistic legacy is preserved through major institutional collections and research centers dedicated to his work. The most significant holdings are found in Italian public institutions, including the Modern Art Revoltella Museum in Trieste and the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome, both of which maintain substantial collections of his paintings, drawings, and prints. His works are also represented in the Museo Civico d’Arte Moderna in Turin, where he spent much of his creative life.
Internationally, Casorati’s work is held in prestigious museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the British Museum in London, the Birmingham Museum of Art, MSK Ghent in Belgium, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art. These institutional holdings serve as primary sources for authentication and research into Casorati’s oeuvre.
For collectors and researchers, the authentication of Felice Casorati’s works is of paramount importance given the significance of his artistic contributions and the market value of his pieces. While there is no single official authentication committee dedicated exclusively to Casorati, the major museums holding his works—particularly the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna and the Revoltella Museum—serve as authoritative sources for verification and documentation. Prospective buyers and collectors are advised to seek provenance documentation, exhibition histories, and expert examination from established art historians specializing in twentieth-century Italian art. Certification of authenticity is essential for works offered on the market, ensuring both the integrity of the artist’s legacy and the protection of collectors’ investments.
Artwork Quotes
Felice Casorati’s works command significant attention in the international art market, with prices reflecting his status as a major figure in twentieth-century Italian modernism. Market values for his paintings vary considerably based on several factors: the period of creation, the medium employed, the size and subject matter, the condition of the work, and its provenance.
Oil paintings and temperas from his mature period (1920s-1940s) typically range from €15,000 to €80,000 at auction, with exceptional works or those with distinguished exhibition histories commanding higher prices. His most celebrated figurative compositions and portraits from this period represent the upper range of market values.
Drawings, watercolors, and prints generally fall within a lower price bracket, typically ranging from €2,000 to €15,000, depending on their significance and condition. These works on paper remain accessible entry points for collectors interested in Casorati’s artistic practice.
Sculptures and three-dimensional works are less frequently encountered on the market but when available, typically range from €8,000 to €40,000, reflecting their rarity and the specialized nature of sculptural collecting.
Works from his later period (1950s-1963) and lesser-known compositions may be priced more modestly, ranging from €5,000 to €25,000, offering opportunities for collectors seeking authentic examples of his work at varied price points.
The values indicated are generated from the analysis of auction results and are for informational purposes only. Pontiart disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of such data. For a precise valuation please contact our experts.
Artwork Valuations
Felice Casorati’s work is valued by the international art market as a cornerstone of twentieth-century Italian modernism and a pivotal figure in the development of post-war European art. His significance rests on several critical factors that sustain and enhance the market value of his creations.
Historical importance: Casorati’s role as a leading exponent of the “return to order” movement positions him among the most important Italian artists of the interwar period. His influence on subsequent generations of Italian painters and his contributions to the development of modern Italian art are widely recognized by scholars and institutions.
Artistic innovation: His distinctive approach to composition, characterized by geometric precision, volumetric rendering, and classical references, represents a unique synthesis of modernism and tradition. The enigmatic, metaphysical qualities of his work distinguish him from his contemporaries and continue to engage contemporary viewers and collectors.
Institutional recognition: The presence of Casorati’s works in major international museums—including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, and the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna—affirms his canonical status in art history. Museum acquisitions and exhibitions significantly influence market perception and valuation.
Rarity and scarcity: While Casorati was prolific, many of his works remain in institutional collections or private hands with limited market availability. This scarcity supports stable and appreciating values for works that do appear at auction.
Medium and technique: His mastery of tempera, a technically demanding medium that produces distinctive visual qualities, adds to the appeal and value of his works. His multidisciplinary practice—encompassing painting, sculpture, printmaking, and design—demonstrates artistic versatility that appeals to serious collectors.
Provenance and documentation: Works with clear provenance, exhibition histories at major institutions, or inclusion in scholarly catalogues command premium valuations. The documentation of a work’s history significantly influences its market price.
The international art market continues to recognize Casorati as a significant investment and collecting opportunity, with steady demand from museums, institutional collectors, and private collectors worldwide. His works represent both historical importance and aesthetic merit, making them valued acquisitions for serious collectors of twentieth-century European art.
Buy Artworks
Pontiart specializes in the acquisition and sale of authentic works by Felice Casorati, offering collectors and institutions access to carefully selected examples of his paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures. Our gallery maintains an active presence in the international art market and works with established dealers, auction houses, and private collections to identify significant works by this important Italian master.
Our services include: Expert authentication and provenance research to ensure the legitimacy and documented history of each work; professional valuation services based on current market data and comparative analysis; acquisition assistance for collectors seeking specific works or periods within Casorati’s oeuvre; and sales representation for owners wishing to place works on the market through established channels.
Whether you are a seasoned collector, an institution building a twentieth-century Italian art collection, or a new collector discovering Casorati’s work, Pontiart provides professional guidance and access to the market. We maintain relationships with major collectors, institutions, and dealers worldwide, enabling us to source works that meet the highest standards of authenticity and quality.
To inquire about available works, request a valuation, or discuss your collecting interests, please contact our team of art specialists. We are committed to facilitating informed acquisitions and supporting collectors in building meaningful collections of twentieth-century Italian and European modernism. Our expertise in the market for Casorati’s work, combined with our commitment to transparency and professional standards, ensures that your engagement with his art is both rewarding and secure.