Lucio
Fontana
Lucio Fontana, creator of Spatialism, revolutionised art with his audacious slashes and cuts, breaking through the two-dimensionality of the canvas. If you’re looking for original Lucio Fontana prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network’s most in-demand pieces.
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Biography
Born in Argentina, in 1899 to an Italian father and an Argentine mother, Fontana spent his formative years absorbing a rich blend of cultural influences. His early artistic flair was nurtured under his father, which led to a foundational education at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan. Further honing his skills in sculpture and ceramics, Fontana embraced an array of techniques that would later inform his groundbreaking approach to art.
Fontana's artistic development was a journey marked by relentless innovation. After serving in World War I, he returned to Milan and later moved between Italy and Argentina, where he was exposed to various avant-garde movements. It was in the aftermath of World War II that Fontana truly found his voice. He’s responsible for the Manifesto Blanco, laying the groundwork for Spatialism—a movement that sought to synthesise colour, sound, space, movement, and time into a new type of art.
The zenith of Fontana's career is epitomised by his Spatial Concept series, where he radically slashed and punctured the canvas, inviting the viewer into a literal and metaphorical space beyond the picture plane. His monochrome canvases, often painted in stark white or bold colours, became arenas for his Tagli, each incision executed with surgical precision, creating an art form that obliterated the line between painting and sculpture.
Fontana's impact on the art world is marked by significant exhibitions and accolades, including a grand showing at the Venice Biennale, where he received the Grand Prize in 1966. His works have been displayed in prominent institutions, from New York to Amsterdam, cementing his status as an artist who redefined the possibilities of art.
Reflecting on Fontana's legacy, it is clear that his influence extends far beyond the Spatialist movement. His conceptual breakthroughs have paved the way for future generations of artists to explore the intersection of art and space, ensuring that his daring spirit continues to resonate within the narrative of modern art.