Primo Conti

Primo Conti (October 16, 1900 – November 12, 1988) was an Italian Futurist artist.

Related Topics:
October 16 - 1900 - November 12 - 1988 - Italian - Futurist - Artist

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Conti was born in Florence on October 16th 1900. Between the ages of 8 and 9, his precocious talent in the fields of music, poetry and painting was showing signs of his genius. In 1913 he met the Futurists.

Related Topics:
Florence - Music - Poetry - Painting - Genius - Futurists

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His attraction to the latest innovations was expressed in almost completely Futurist forms in his drawings, while he developed a unique style in his painting that was a mixture of Art Nouveau, Fauvism, Expressionism and Orphism. It was not until 1917, after meeting with Balla in Rome, and with Marinetti in Naples (who later enthusiastically praised Conti's book Imbottigliature which was about to be printed) that Conti became part of the Futurist movement.

Related Topics:
Art Nouveau - Fauvism - Expressionism - Orphism - Balla - Rome - Marinetti - Naples

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His fundamental contribution to the movement was, not only his literary works, but also the paintings and drawings he produced between 1917 and 1919 — the years in which his work was taking on a metaphysical trend.

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The 1920s were a complex period for Conti. He explored Mannerism, Exoticism, Esotercism, and great historical and religious painting, covering a vast area that can be compared with his keen interest in the theatrical and literary world of Pirandello, Bontempelli and Pea, which lead him to found the Viareggio Award in 1929.

Related Topics:
Pirandello - Bontempelli - Pea - Viareggio Award

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The 1930s brought a series of alternating events that created problems in his private life and led to his celebrative paintings. The decade also saw his enforced adhesion to the Fascist Party, and his inner rebellion against it which transpired from his refusal to join Margherita Sarfatti's Novecento Group and from other episodes when he stepped out of line. New prospects were only opened up to him when he became involved in designing stage sets for the opera house with the foundation of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

Related Topics:
Fascist Party - Margherita Sarfatti - Novecento Group - Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

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By the 1940s, long before the official rediscovery (20 years later) of the Futurist movement, Conti was again working on Futurist subjects and experiments.

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From 1948 to 1963 he followed the rules of the Order of the Franciscans, though he still continued to paint.

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Many of his works are housed in the Museo Primo Conti (Primo Conti Foundation Museumhttp://www.fondazioneprimoconti.org) in the Villa le Coste at Fiesole (near Florence).

Related Topics:
Villa le Coste - Florence

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