Open until the 21st of April, at the theatre «La Goldonetta» in Livorno, the exhibition «Voltolino Fontani - spiritual self-portraits» dedicated to the Livorno-born painter, managed by Francesca Cagianelli and Giacomo Romano, which takes its place within a re-evaluation process of 20th century Tuscan artistic figures trail.

Fontani (1920-1936), a painter form Livorno, student of Beppe Guzzi, originated a «Nuclear» painting movement, the «Eaismo», well before Salvador Dalì's nuclear experiences.

The exhibition introduces 85 works illustrating Fontani's artistic evolution throughout the three periods his artistic production can be divided in. The first period, defined by the critics the «Ineluctable stage or expressionism of the psychological» which involves Fontani's painting in the years from 1936 to 1942; the period in which painting is set to a mystic-literary disposition, fully emerging from a foundation of this stage: «L'Ineluttabile» (Verso il cimitero) (The Ineluctable - Towards the cemetery), a work that was later repeated in various versions, for technical innovation and chromatic setting.

The second stage defined «Metafisica o del superamento del formalismo» (Metaphysics or about the overcoming of formalism) (1943-1952) where works take on a cosmopolitan dimension and a decided chromatics. Finally the period of the «Linguaggio nucleare» (Nuclear language) (1953-1976), a period in which Fontani furthers his study into informal painting.

In '48 the Manifesto for the Eaismo (taken from Atomic Era Ism) is set down , promoted by Fontani, on the basis of a lucid precognitions of the demands of Italian and European Nuclear Art. From 1955 to 1959 the nuclear period of the Livornese painter unfolds, characterised by works of experimental nature such as the so-called «sgocciolature» (Drippings), true anticipations of the informal period.
It is the «Eista» period which holds the greater expressive tension, culminating unsurprisingly with two works of sacred mark placed in the church of Valle Benedetta in Livorno, the «Deposizione» (Deposition) and «San Francesco» (Saint Francis).
(Photo: «Il cavaliere solitario» (The lone horseman - 1950)

Voltolino Fontani - spiritual self-portraits
Where: Galeria Goldoni via Mayer, 45 - Livorno
When: from 10th March to 21st April
Opening Times: 10 am-1 pm and 3 pm -7.30 pm

March.2002

Municipality of Livorno (In Italian)