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 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
$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
$1,629
H 13.78 in W 43.31 in D 23.63 in
1970s Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Fontana Arte, Glass & Chrome
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
$375,403
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
Fontana Arte, Coffee Table, Walnut, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Fontana Arte
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and smoked glass coffee table, model 2461, designed and produced by Fontana Arte, Italy, 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 12.5"H x 50....
Glass, Walnut
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
Cristal Art Illuminated Patinated Brass & Glass Side Table, Italy, 1960s
By Cristal Arte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Cristal Art Illuminated Patinated Brass & Glass Side Table, Italy, 1960s Cristal Art Illuminated Patinated Brass & Glass Side Table, Italy, 1960s. Attributed to the renowned Turin-b...
Brass
$5,578
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
$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
$11,385 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Tour Table with Glass Top Designed by Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tour is the evolution of the table with wheels. Again with wheels, but in this case taken from bicycles, it was a surprising piece. The beveled float glass top, 0.6" thick, rests on four pivoting wheels attached to four stainless steel plates...
Glass
1960s Brass and Glass Coffee Table Attributed to Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in London, London
Coffee table Attributed to Fontana Arte Thick glass sections Brass rods holding it together 1960s Italy.
Brass
$4,087 / item
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 Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
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
$1,975
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