Lucio Fontana

(Rosario di Santa Fè 1899 – Varese 1968)

Concetto spaziale, Attese (1959) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

Lucio Fontana

Born in Argentina, the artist lived in Milan from the 1920s onwards, setting up his studio there. Over the course of his artistic career, Lucio Fontana created a rich variety of works ranging from ceramic carvings to paintings and from sculptures to spatial environments.

Busto femminile Busto femminile (1931) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

The Twenties and Thirties

In the Twenties, his work – still of a figurative nature at the time – revolved around the creation of sculptures for private clients ("Busto femminile" [Female bust], 1931). These works were therefore rather small, although he did also tackle more complex and experimental pieces in this period, participating in public competitions with works such as "Signorina Seduta" (Young Woman Seated, 1934).

Signorina seduta Signorina seduta, Lucio Fontana, 1934, From the collection of: Museo del Novecento
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Struttura al neon per la IX Triennale di Milano Struttura al neon per la IX Triennale di Milano (1951 (Reconstructed in 2010)) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

Spatial environments

His intense collaboration with architects during the interwar years had a critical and formative influence on the artist, leading him to begin designing "spatial environments" following World War II. Examples include "Struttura al Neon" (Structure in Neon), inaugurated for the 9th Milan Triennale in 1951, and "Soffitto Spaziale" (Spatial Ceiling) for the Hotel del Golfo in Procchio in 1956.

Fontana RoomMuseo del Novecento

View of "Soffitto Spaziale" by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

Concetto spaziale, Attesa (1960) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

Concetti spaziali

In his famous "Concetti spaziali" (Spatial Concepts), monochrome canvases on which the artist made a series of holes and clean cuts, Fontana opened up to an infinite spatial dimension, going beyond the limits of a traditional painting.

Concetto spaziale (1956) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

Concetto spaziale, La bara del marinaio, Lucio Fontana, 1957, From the collection of: Museo del Novecento
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Concetto spaziale (La notte), Lucio Fontana, 1956, From the collection of: Museo del Novecento
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Concetto spaziale (1960) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

Concetto spaziale, Attesa (1960) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

Concetto spaziale, Attese (1959) by Lucio FontanaMuseo del Novecento

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