Through elaborate still lifes, vivid landscape paintings and thought-provoking portraits reduced to bold geometric forms, Italian artist Duilio Barnabé (who often went by Dubè) embraced the Cubist genre with a zeal to match that of his greatest inspiration, Spanish master Pablo Picasso.
Born in Bologna in 1914, Barnabé showed a strong interest in art from an early age. In his youth, he studied under Italian modern artist Giorgio Morandi, developing his skill and trying to find his own unique style.
In 1935, the Italian government drafted Barnabé to military service, where he served a tour in North Africa. He married sculptor Angiola Cassanello in 1938, and served another stint in the military in 1940, after being called to duty once again. Upon his second return from service, Barnabé was finally able to make his art in earnest. He produced works that won the Baruzzi Prize in 1941 and the International Curlandese Prize in 1943.
In 1946, Barnabé moved to Paris, where he created the bulk of his early paintings, in which Picasso's influence strongly shone through. His major artistic debut occurred in 1947, at the exhibition of contemporary Italian art in Switzerland. Many exhibitions and awards followed, including a solo show at the Venice Biennale.
In 1955, he received a gold medal from the Italian government for a series of stained glass windows he had designed. Barnabé worked in many mediums, including furniture, but his primary focus was painting. He produced a large body of work until his death in 1961 in an auto accident in the Swiss Alps.
Find authentic Duilio Barnabé figurative paintings and other art on 1stDibs.
1950 Duilio Barnabè Dubè Screenprint
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Brescia, IT
Duilio Barnabè Italy, 1950 Screenprint on paper 60/100 Signed "Barnabè" with pencil Original blue wood frame with glass Super rare screenprint Duilio Barnabè (October 7, 1914 – Oc...
Paper, Wood
Green Glass Table by Duiliu Barnabé / Fontana Arte, c.a. 1960
By Duilio Barnabe, Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare and sophisticated low table by mid century painter Duilio "Dubé" Barnabé. It's heavy glass top has chiseled edges and behind glass painting. ...
Brass, Steel
$13,044Sale Price|20% Off
Fontana Arte in collaborazione con dubè (Duilio Barnabe) 1955.
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte in collaborazione con dubè (Duilio Barnabé) 1955. Centrotavola in cristallo di grandi dimensioni e spessore dipinto a mano nel...
Crystal
Duilio Barnabè Rare Coffee Table Decorated Ground Crystal Glass Top
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Milano, IT
Duilio Barnabè known as Dubè (1914-1961) Rare coffee table with thick ground crystal glass top back painted with musical instruments. Structure in met...
Glass, Wood
1950's Duilio Barnabé Dubé Fontana Arte Painted Eglomise Glass Coffee Table
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
This rare round coffee table was designed by Duilio “Dubè” Bernabè and produced by Fontana Arte, in Milan, circa 1958. The tabletop is made of ground crystal glass, and then reverse-painted using the églomisé technique. The design features bold, expressive brushstrokes forming leaf motifs in shades of green, magenta, and bright blue over a soft grey background—creating a vibrant yet sophisticated composition. The base is composed of slender, black-painted metal legs with elegant brass feet, giving the table a light and sculptural presence. Signed "Dubè Fontana Arte...
Metal, Brass
Duilio Barnabé Dubé Retro-Painted Glass Coffee Table Blue Green Fontana Arte
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Rare painted glass coffee table by Duilio Barnabé, made in Italy by Fontana Arte Glass makers, circa 1958. Featuring a black painted metal and brass base, it supports a thick, curved...
Metal
Duilio " Dube" Bernabe large glass wall / table plaque by Fontana Arte Roosters
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful. reverse art work glass in this plaque , wall glass painting by the well known artist Duilio Dube Bernabe , signed LR and traditional subject Coq / Roosters .This is a larg...
Glass
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Italian Nine Facets Glass Dish, circa 1950
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chicago, IL
Max Ingrand designed for Fontana Arte Faceted Italian glass dish Vide Poche. Fontana Arte faceted Italian glass dish in very thick iconic Fontana Arte green glass...
Glass
Minimalist Glass Catchall after Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
**Two available, each sold separately, as per listing. A beautiful all-glass transparent catchall vide-poche in the Minimalist or Post-Modern design style, in the style of Italian ...
Glass
$13,309
H 20.48 in Dm 44.1 in
Rare Variant of Big Table Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte 1940 Whit Blue Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Rare variant of big table Pietro Chiesa For Fontana Arte 1940 whit blue mirror.
Wood
$1,932
H 15.75 in W 27.56 in D 47.25 in
Midcentury Chromed Steel Italian Coffee Table with Crystal Glass Top, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful chromed steel coffee table with crystal glass top. This amazing piece was produced in Italy during 1970s. This midcentury maste...
Steel, Chrome
$89,000
H 14.7 in Dm 32.5 in
Max Ingrand, Coffee Table, Green Convex Glass, Metal, Brass, Fontana Arte, 1958
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in High Point, NC
A green convex glass, metal and brass coffee table, model 1774, designed by Max Ingrand and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1958.
Brass, Metal
A Vintage Alexander Girard Sun Screenprint On Canvas ca' 1970's
By Alexander Girard
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and happy, Alexander Girard sceenprint on canvas panel ca' 1970's. Measures approx. 24"x24", mounted on stretcher.
Canvas
1970s "Fanfare" Screenprint by Frank Rowland
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking limited edition op art serigraph by American artist Frank Rowland (1927-2012) in the hard edge style. An abstract geometric composition in red, orange, and yellow against ...
Paper
Max Ingrand bowl model 1639 Fontana Arte Italy 1960 brown
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Behold the exquisite Glass Bowl Model 1639, a testament to the visionary design of Max Ingrand and the meticulous craftsmanship of Fontana Arte, Italy, in 1960. Crafted from thick br...
Glass
$6,455 / set
H 17.33 in W 18.12 in D 33.47 in
Pair of Coffee Tables 'Dubè' atrb Duilio Barnabé Italy, Marble and Bronze Relief
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in London, GB
Pair of oval coffee tables with Carrara marble top supported by a sculpted cast brass base with a relief of figures is standing on four spider legs on oval feet. The figures on the l...
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Cut Steel
Fontana Arte Glass Bowl 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Munich, DE
Rare clear blue glass bowl designed for Fontana Arte, circa 1960. This beautiful glass bowl with its oval shape and gently rounded corners reflects the minimalist, elegant design of ...
Murano Glass
Fontana Arte, Side Table, Walnut, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and smoked glass side table designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s. Minor scuffing to legs. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.7"H x 22.5"W x 18.5"D All items s...
Glass, Walnut
$544Sale Price|47% Off
H 16.93 in W 38.59 in D 19.1 in
Midcentury Fontana Arte Style Wood and Glass Coffee Table 60s, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Coffee table with a geometric design, with wooden structure and rectangular glass top. In the style of Fontana Arte, Italian production from the 60s. Wear consistent with age and use.
Glass, Wood
Coffee Table, Dube Duilio Barnabe Design. 1950s
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Oirlo, LI
The Dubè coffee table, designed by Duilio Barnabé (also known as Dubè) in 1955 for Fontana Arte, is an exceptional piece that embodies the essence of 1950s Italian design. This ova...
Marble, Brass
Figura seduta (Seated figure)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
The painting is signed at the lower right by Barnabè. In 1959, French art critic Michel Concil-Lacoste, in the newspaper Le Monde, expressed his views on Barnabè: "Barnabè is a pain...
Canvas, Oil
Bouquet of flowers in pink and white
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
This painting is signed by Barnabè in the lower right. Barnabè's still-lives of flowers in vases are painted in a style that combines Modernism with mystery. In 1959, French art cr...
Canvas, Oil
Still Life with Pitcher (Nature morte au pichet)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
This painting is signed and dated by Barnabè in the lower right. Barnabè's still-lives of simple everyday objects such as water pitchers, coffee cups, vases and bowls are painted in ...
Oil, Canvas
No. 628 (Tabletop Still Life)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
DESCRIPTION 19 3/4 x 38 1/2 inches (sight size) 21 ½ x 41 inches (framed) Signed lower right Titled on stretcher verso PROVENANCE Private collection, New York This item is located...
Canvas, Oil
Duilio Barnabé Cocktail Table
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Cocktail table by Duilio Barnabé for Fontana Arte. Back-painted glass top of irregular shape and “chipped” edges. Triangular-shaped bas...
Brass, Metal
Fishermen
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
signed, lower right
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 16.15 in W 22.45 in D 22.05 in
'1748' Model Ceiling Light by Max Ingrand and Dubé for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1957
By Max Ingrand, Duilio Barnabe
Located in London, GB
A '1748' model ceiling light designed by Max Ingrand and artist Duilio Barnabé for Fontana Arte in 1957. A tapered, polished brass cent...
Brass
Mazzo di fiori (Bouquet)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
This charcoal and gouache still-life is signed by Barnabè in the lower right. In 1959, French art critic Michel Concil-Lacoste, in the newspaper Le Monde, expressed his views on Bar...
Charcoal, Gouache
Mazzo di fiori con ombra (Shadowed Bouquet)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
signed and dated, lower center
Charcoal
Sold
H 30.75 in W 24.4 in
Arlecchino in blu e grigio (Harlequin in Blue and Gray)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
This work is signed by Barnabè in the lower right. Harlequins were one of Barnabè's favorite subjects, reminders of the costumed revellers at the famous Carnival of Venice celebrated...
Charcoal, Gouache
Natura Morta (Still Life)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in Chicago, IL
Signed, lower right Notes: Again, in this still life, we see the influence of Barnabe’s teacher in Bologna: Giorgio Morandi.
Canvas, Oil