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of art by this artist.
Antonio Donghi Biography
Antonio Donghi was an Italian painter, born on March 16, 1897, in Rome, Italy. His journey into the world of art began at a young age when he enrolled at the Instituto di Belle Arti in Rome at the age of eleven, graduating in 1916. This early education laid the foundation for his artistic career, which would later see him become one of Italy's leading figures in the neoclassical movement that emerged in the 1920s.
After completing his studies, Donghi served in the military during the First World War. The end of the war marked a significant turning point in his career as he chose to dedicate himself to creating art that embraced the methods of traditional figure paintings. This decision won him acclaim from both critics and viewers, establishing him as a prominent neoclassical Italian painter.
In 1923, Donghi exhibited at the Rome Biennale alongside Carlo Socrate, marking the beginning of a series of successful exhibitions. The following year, he participated in an exhibition with Mario Tozzi and Felice Casorati at the Galleria Pesaro. His work was also featured in the 1925 New Objectivity exhibition in Mannheim, Germany, and he had solo shows in Paris, New York, and Buenos Aires. Donghi's cooperation with the Novecento Italiano group, participating in their second exhibit in 1929, further solidified his reputation in the art world.
Donghi's art was characterized by strong compositions, spatial clarity, and a focus on everyday life scenes, recognizable figures, still lifes, and landscapes. His technique was extremely refined, favoring linear patterns, light, texture, space, and material to achieve a realistic image. Critics likened his work to that of Henri Rousseau and Georges Seurat, noting the gravity and archaic stiffness of his figures reminiscent of Piero della Francesca. His still lifes, often consisting of a small vase of flowers, were depicted with the disarming symmetry of naive art.
Despite achieving both popular and critical success, Donghi's work quickly fell out of favor with critics in the later years of his career, when his style was considered outdated and old-fashioned. However, his contributions to the art world were significant, and he won several awards, including First Honorable Mention at the Carnegie Institute International Exhibition in Pittsburgh.
In his last years, Donghi concentrated mainly on landscapes, painted in a style that emphasized linear patterns. He died on July 16, 1963, in Rome, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated in Italian art history. Most of Donghi's works are in Italian collections, notably the Museo di Roma.
Donghi's influence was not limited to his contemporaries; his work has continued to inspire and be celebrated in exhibitions and art fairs. For instance, the ML Fine Art gallery showcased a selection of his historically relevant paintings at various art fairs, including the Arte e Collezionismo art fair in Rome and the Miart, Milan’s international modern and contemporary art fair.
Antonio Donghi's contributions to Italian art are undeniable. His unique approach to painting, characterized by a blend of realism, magic realism, and neoclassicism, has left an indelible mark on the art world. His works, which capture the essence of everyday life and the beauty of landscapes with remarkable clarity and detail, continue to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.
Antonio Donghi 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.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
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