The founding of the MAM
The artistic case of Archimede Bresciani from Gazoldo is the real cornerstone of the founding of the MAM. In 1979, in fact, on the 40th anniversary of his death, the Council of Gazoldo degli Ippoliti, organised a great retrospective dedicated to the painter. The museum was set up around him as the guardian spirit of the place and has now become a point of reference to all the Mantuan territory.
Archimede Bresciani from Gazoldo
Nevertheless it is time now to say who Archimede was. The painter was born in San Fermo in Gazoldo on 29th July, 1881, son of Angelo and Rosa Pinfari. His talent grew spontaneously and at early age. When he was just seventeen he frescoed the facade of the local parish church.
Processione a San Fermo, 1909, olio su tela, cm 104x200 (1909) by Archimede Bresciani da GazoldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
He then attended evening classes at the School of Art in Mantua, and thanks to Domenico Pesenti's protection, he started studying at the Accademy of Fine Arts in Brera under the guidance of Cesare Tallone.
Portrait of a gentleman (1913) by Archimede Bresciani da GazaldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
In Milan he came in touch with the artistic movement “Scapigliatura” and had the opportunity to confront himself with the Pointillist art of Segantini and his subject matters regarding rustic life,whereby men and animals live a life in common, immersed in nature which is always friendly.
Woman in the mirror (The Spanish shawl) (1924) by Archimede Bresciani da GazoldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
The green necklace (1930) by Archimede Bresciani da GazaldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
In 1908 he was awarded the Mylius prize at the exhibition of the Accademy of Fine Arts set up at the Permanente in Milan and in the same year he won a scholarship granted by the Franchetti Foundation in painting.
Self Portrait (1931) by Archimede Bresciani da GazaldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
In 1910 he displayed his works at the 9th International Biennial in Venice, whereby he was present again in 1914 and thereafter he received practically constant invitations until 1938.
The Harvest (unknown) by Archimede Bresciani da GazaldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
Haymaking in St. Fermo (1933) by Archimede Bresciani da GazaldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
His art became by virtue increasingly technical with an admirable mastery in painting portraits and an excellence in portraying landscapes.
Untitled (Unfinished) 2 (1939) by Archimede Bresciani da GazaldoMuseo d'Arte Moderna dell'Alto Mantovano
One cannot forget to mention to our visitors the fact that Archimede Bresciani in 1940, a year after his passing away, was publically conferred posthumously with a room named in his honour at the 22nd International Biennial in Venice, a homage reserved only to great artists!
