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.
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
$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
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
$6,315 / 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
$7,600
H 17.33 in W 36.23 in D 20.87 in
Green Bubble Glass Waterfall Coffee Table attr. to Fontana Arte, Italy 1970s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous and very rare Coffee or Sofa Waterfall Table that was handmade of a single piece of solid glass. The green/gray bubble glass features beautif...
Glass
Fontana Arte Table Mod.1736
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Red Lion, PA
This beautiful coffee table is designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte. Model 1736 Italy, 1950s This table is made with a beautiful green colored glass with metal and brass. You ...
Metal, Brass
$3,269Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 15.7 in W 55.1 in D 27.5 in
Fontana Glass Table Designed by Pietro Chiesa in 1932 for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Pietro Chiesa, it was an extraordinary piece of essentiality and elegance. This coffee table is made from a double curved single piece of thick glass (15 mm). Available i...
Glass
$8,244
H 14.57 in W 45.08 in D 19.49 in
Fontana Arte fiberglass and glass coffee table model 2542, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare coffee table model 2542 by Fontana Arte combines contrasting yet complementary materials: fiberglass and crystal. This unusual combination, characterized by their plastic vers...
Glass, Fiberglass
$380,441
H 14.57 in W 31.5 in D 14.97 in
Mid-century 'Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Duilio Barnabè' coffee table.
By Duilio Dubé Bernabe, Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Palermo, IT
Small table designed in 1958 by the great master of Crystal ''Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte and painted by Duilio Bernabè known as Dubè.'' Duilio Barnabè, known artistically as Dubé, ...
Crystal
$2,791
H 22.45 in W 21.66 in D 17.72 in
Marble and Glass Sculptural Italian Side Table Attributed to Fontana Arte, 1960
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Attributed to Fontana Arte, this refined Italian side table from the mid-20th century exemplifies the sculptural elegance and material experimentation that define the brand’s most ic...
Marble, Brass
$5,653
H 15.16 in W 34.85 in D 34.85 in
Mirrored Crystal Glass Coffee Table by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960 ca
By Fontana Arte
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Coffee table with a polished wood base and grey mirrored crystal glass top designed by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960 ca. The table present four cylindric legs with brass detail in the e...
Crystal
On Hold|$22,673
H 25.99 in Dm 10.24 in
Mod. 1776 Side Table by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960's
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Mod. 1776 Side Table designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte in the 1960s is a classic piece of Italian mid-century modern furniture. Max Ingrand was a renowned French-Italian d...
Brass
Fontana Arte Glass Coffee Table 1970, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful geometric all Glass and Chrome Coffee table . Architectural Deign . so stylish . Good condition . Fontana Arte 1970s Italy
Glass