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Gianni Pisani
'Abstract Landscape, Chestnut and Coral', Venice Biennale, Michetti Prize Winner

1963

About the Item

Signed lower right 'G. Pisani', (Italian, born 1935), titled verso 'Paesaggio con Valigia' (Landscape with Luggage) and dated 1963. Provenance: Galleria El Centro, Naples, Italy 1963. (from original label, copied verso). A very substantial, mid-century abstracted landscape comprising an assembled group of Fendi shopping bags in the fashion designer's signature tones of cream, bistre and scarlet, shown contrasted against a lyrical, sunset-coral background. This powerful and lyrical oil was awarded the 1963 Michetti Painting Prize. Gianni Pisani studied at the Accademia de Bella Arti in Naples under Emilio Notte. Much of his career in the 1960s and 70s involved reinvigorating the Neapolitan art scene with assemblages, ‘object art’ and performance art, an approach that was critically described and acclaimed by poet and writer, Edoardo Sanguineti. The recipient of numerous medals, prizes and juried awards, including the Prize City Cesenatico (1955). Pisani exhibited widely and with success from the early 1950's including at the 8th Biennale of San Benedetto del Tronto (1969), Palazzo Dugnani (1983) and at the Non-Existent Gallery. Other solo and group exhibitions include a three-time participation in the National Quadrennial Art Shows (VIII, Rome, 1960; IX, Palazzo dei Esposizione, 1965/66; XI, Palazzo dei Congressi, 1986) and the 1995 Venice Biennale. An ardent exponent, and influential teacher, of Modernism, Pisani taught at the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera in Milan and, for many years, at the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, of which he was later appointed director. Gianni Pisani’s works are held in the permanent collections of numerous museums including the Museum of Capodimonte, the Museum of Contemporary Art Donna Regina (MADRE), Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (ARCA) and the Palazzo Reale of Caserta. The artist is also listed in Benezit's definitive Dictionary of Artists. The Michetti National Painting Prize was endowed in 1947 to honor the memory of the artist, Francesco Michetti. For 65 years, the prize has been awarded annually to an outstanding Modernist work. Winners have included Lucio Fontana, Cy Twombly, Mario Schifano and Arnaldo Pomodoro, as well as Gianni Pisani who, in 1963, received the Michetti prize for this painting. The Michetti Prize awards committee is chaired by academic and art-world luminaries that have included Achille Bonito Oliva, Angela Vettese, Luca Beatrice and Luciano Carmel, among others. Reference: Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs, et Graveurs, Vol 11 p. 23; Davenport’s Art Reference Guide, 2009/10 Edition, p. 2027; Dictionnaire de l'Art Moderne et Contemporain, Hazan, Paris, 1992 et al. Partial List of Exhibitions: 1953-1963 Italian Group Exhibitions 1958 Galatea Gallery Turin (Solo) 1961 Gallery The Ferry Venice (Solo) 1961 Alexandria, Egypt (Group) 1962 Gallery, The Obelisk, Rome (Solo) 1962 Gallery, The Center, Ischia (Solo) 1962 Minneapolis, New Orleans, Denver and Philadelphia, USA (Group) 1964 Wirth Berlin Gallery, Germany (Group) 1964 Galleria ,The Center, Naples (Solo) 1995 46th Venice Biennale (Solo) 1999 Scuderia of the Royal Palace Naples (Solo) 2003 Castel dell'Ovo Naples. (Solo)
  • Creator:
    Gianni Pisani (1935, Italian)
  • Creation Year:
    1963
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 58.5 in (148.59 cm)Width: 55.25 in (140.34 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    craquelure, restoration, original canvas relined to masonite (2021) to provide long-term support of the heavy areas of impasto; unframed. shows well.
  • Gallery Location:
    Santa Cruz, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU34410665242

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