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Enrico Castellani Biography
Enrico Castellani, born on August 4, 1930, in Castelmassa, Italy, was a pioneering figure in the post-war European avant-garde art scene. His innovative contributions to the art world have left an indelible mark on the trajectory of contemporary art, particularly in the realms of minimalism and the ZERO movement. Castellani's artistic journey began in earnest when he moved to Belgium in 1952, where he immersed himself in the study of painting and sculpture at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts, and later, architecture at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels de la Cambre, graduating in 1956.
Upon returning to Italy in the mid-1950s, Castellani found himself at the heart of Milan's burgeoning avant-garde art scene. It was here that he formed significant relationships with other influential artists, including Lucio Fontana, Piero Manzoni, and Vincenzo Agnetti. These connections were instrumental in shaping his artistic vision and approach. In 1959, alongside Piero Manzoni, Castellani founded the Galleria Azimut and its affiliated magazine, Azimuth. These ventures were short-lived but had a profound impact on the art world, serving as platforms for challenging the status quo and promoting a new conception of painting that sought to move beyond the subjective gesture and emotional state associated with Abstract Expressionism and Tachisme.
Castellani's dissatisfaction with the prevailing art movements of the time propelled him to explore new territories. He rejected mimetic art, believing instead that light, shadow, and space should be integral to the painting itself, rather than being represented through descriptive means. This led to the creation of his iconic "Superficie" series, monochrome paintings characterized by their textured surfaces created by stretching canvas over strategically placed nails. This technique produced captivating light and shadow effects, giving the paintings a dynamic, three-dimensional quality. Castellani's work with the "Superficie" series was groundbreaking, offering a radical departure from traditional painting and sculpture by merging art, spatiality, and architecture.
Throughout his career, Castellani experimented with various materials, including aluminum, and explored different permutations of his "Surfaces" series, varying the color of his paint and the intensity and depth of the reliefs. His original approach and dedication to redefining the boundaries of painting garnered international attention, leading to his participation in major exhibitions around the world, including the Venice Biennale, documenta in Kassel, and group shows at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Castellani's contributions to the art world were recognized with numerous accolades, most notably the Praemium Imperiale for Painting in 2010, making him the first Italian artist to receive this prestigious award. His works are held in significant public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome.
Enrico Castellani passed away on December 1, 2017, at his home, the Castello Orsini of Celleno, in the province of Viterbo in Lazio, Italy. His legacy as a visionary artist who challenged conventional notions of painting and sculpture continues to influence generations of artists. Castellani's innovative use of light, space, and form, along with his contributions to the ZERO movement and minimalism, cement his status as a pivotal figure in the history of 20th-century art.
Enrico Castellani Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
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