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).
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
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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
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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
