Manlio Rho, born in 1901 in Como, Italy, emerged as a pivotal figure in the realm of abstract art, marking his presence as one of Italy's most significant abstract artists. His journey into the art world began in 1918, and over the years, Rho's work evolved, reflecting influences from contemporaries of the Bauhaus movement and Dutch neoplasticism, akin to Piet Mondrian. By 1933, his art was characterized by the use of flat colored shapes and compositions based on orthogonality, signaling a shift towards Purism. Rho's early years were spent in Como, where he was deeply involved in the city's engagement with the European abstract movement, a movement that was significantly influenced by the likes of Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich. Alongside architects Giuseppe Terragni, Alberto Sartoris, and painter Mario Radice, Rho was instrumental in creating the "astrattisti comaschi," a group that later included artists such as Aldo Galli, Carla Prina, and Carla Badiali. This collective is widely regarded as a critical moment in the history of 20th-century Italian art. Initially working in a figurative manner, Rho transitioned to abstract works in the early 1930s, demonstrating a consistent preference for color and the harmony of shapes. His art is noted for its balance between strict geometry, reminiscent of Russian suprematism's "cold" abstractism, and a warmth that is considered typically North Italian. His palette often included greens, browns, and oranges, creating compositions of flat geometric shapes that radiate with a lukewarm glow. In 1940, Rho signed the futurist manifesto "Futuristi Primordiali Antonio Sant'Elia," further cementing his role in the Italian art scene. His first significant exhibition took place in 1935 at the Milan art gallery Il Milione. Over the years, Rho's works were showcased at nine separate Venice Biennales from 1940 to 1986, in addition to numerous exhibitions worldwide. In 2007, some of his works were included in two large exhibitions held in Milan's Royal Palace: "Camera con vista" and "Kandinskji and Italian Abstract Art." His works are part of the permanent collections of several modern art museums, including those in Milan, Trento and Rovereto, Trieste, and Rome. Rho's influence extended beyond painting; he was also involved in textile design, showcasing his profound understanding of color and its application. An exhibition titled "Manlio Rho: il senso del colore. Tra tessile e arte" (The Sense of Color. Between textiles and art) highlighted his relationship with color and textile design, revealing an almost unedited aspect of the artist. This exhibition explored Rho's practices in the field of textiles as a designer and color expert, presenting materials datable between the 1930s and 1950s. It showcased how fabrics and colors interacted perfectly, creating innovative solutions in both the artistic field and fashion, including fabrics produced by the Filande e Tessiture Costa company under Rho's artistic direction for renowned fashion designers such as Givenchy and Dior. Manlio Rho's legacy is also preserved through his works featured in key galleries and museums, such as the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art. His artworks have been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging significantly, reflecting the enduring interest in his work. Rho's contributions to Italian abstract art from 1930 to 1970 have been featured in articles, underscoring his role in shaping the period characterized by movements such as geometric abstract art, Arte Informale, The Azimuth Group, Spazialismo, and kinetic art. Manlio Rho passed away in 1957, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence and inspire the art world. His work remains a testament to the power of abstract art and its ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through color, shape, and composition.

Manlio Rho Quotes and Sales of Works

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