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 Fontana Arte, Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Duilio Barnabe
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
$12,986Sale 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 Fontana Arte, Duilio Barnabe
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
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
$1,923
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
$13,187
H 20.48 in Dm 44.1 in
Rare Variant of Big Table Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte 1940 Whit Blue Mirror
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Rare variant of big table Pietro Chiesa For Fontana Arte 1940 whit blue mirror.
Wood
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
$541Sale 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
Glass Top and Chrome Coffee Table
By Kill International, Horst Bruning
Located in Antwerp, BE
1970s coffee table minimalist modern chrome base with a clear glass top.
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Midcentury Crystal Glass Ashtray/ Vide-Poche by Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in North Miami, FL
Indulge in the elegance of this exquisite ashtray or Vide-Poche, crafted in Italy during the prestigious Fontana Arte's prime in the 1960s. The square-shaped design boasts a transpar...
Murano Glass
$89,000
H 14.7 in Dm 32.5 in
Max Ingrand, Coffee Table, Green Convex Glass, Metal, Brass, Fontana Arte, 1958
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
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
1950s Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Rose Glass Centrepiece
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A spectacular large rose glass centrepiece designed in the 1950s by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, the iconic Milanese glass house. This beautifully curved glass bowl sits atop a larg...
Brass
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
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
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
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 Duilio Barnabe, Max Ingrand
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
Fontana Arte Plaque by Dubé for Fontana Arte
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Unique tabletop still life reverse painted on glass by Italian modernist painter Duilio Barnabé for Italian maker Fontana Arte. This work features Dubé's technique of applying paint ...
Metal
Fontana Arte Cocktail Table
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
Rare cocktail table by Duilio Barnabé for Fontana Arte. Slab crystal top with irregular and chipped edges. Verre églomisé decoration with a Primitive motif. Dark mahogany legs, ca...
Fontana Arte Dining Table by Duilio Bernabè (Dubé)
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte, Duilio Dubé Bernabe
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Exquisite and truly unique round breakfast or dining table by Fontana Arte with 48 inch round glass crystal top by Securitat Sant-Gobain, reverse painted abstract bot...
Crystal, Brass
Large Centerpiece Bowl by Fontana Arte & Dubé
By Duilio Barnabe, Fontana Arte
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Centerpiece Bowl by Fontana Arte & Dubé (Duilio Barnabe) painted behind thick crystal glass
Crystal
"Natura Morta in Blue" by Duilio Barnabé (1914–1961)
By Duilio Barnabe
Located in New York, NY
Anchored in reductive geometry, the internationally recognized Italian artist Duilio Barnabé rendered an extreme formal simplification and chiaroscuro l...