Alberto Burri was born on March 12, 1915, in Città di Castello, a small town in the Umbria region of Italy, to Pietro Burri, a Tuscan wine merchant, and Carolina Torreggiani, an Umbrian elementary school teacher. His early life in the picturesque landscapes of Italy fostered a deep connection with his homeland, a theme that would subtly permeate his later works. Despite initially pursuing a career in medicine, Burri's life took a dramatic turn during World War II, leading him down the path of artistic innovation and exploration that would define his legacy in the art world. In 1940, after receiving a degree in medicine from the Università degli Studi di Perugia, Burri served as a frontline soldier and physician in the Ethiopian campaign and in World War II. His experiences during the war, particularly his capture in Tunisia in May 1943 and subsequent internment in a prisoner-of-war camp in Hereford, Texas, profoundly impacted him. It was during this period of internment that Burri, disaffected by war and his experiences, began to paint in an autodidactic, figurative style, deciding to abandon his medical career for art upon his repatriation to Italy in February 1946. After the war, Burri moved to Rome and set up a studio, marking the beginning of his journey into the art world. His early works were influenced by his medical background and the trauma of war, utilizing materials such as tar and burlap sacks, which were reminiscent of bandages and wounds. This choice of materials was not only innovative but also symbolic, reflecting the physical and psychological scars left by the war. Burri's work from this period blurs the line between painting and sculpture, challenging traditional notions of art. Burri's artistic exploration continued to evolve in the post-war years. His first trip to Paris in 1948–49 exposed him to the works of Joan Miró and Jean Dubuffet, further influencing his approach to materials and composition. Burri's experimentation with unconventional materials such as burlap, wood, tar, plastic, and zinc oxide placed him at the forefront of a new wave of artists who were pushing the boundaries of traditional painting and sculpture. His work successfully blurred the line between these two disciplines, creating a unique visual language that was both abstract and deeply textured. Throughout his career, Burri developed several iconic series, including the "Catrami," "Muffe," "Sacchi," "Legni," "Ferri," "Plastiche," "Cretti," and "Cellotex," each exploring different materials and techniques. The "Sacchi" series, for example, utilized burlap sacks, transforming them into complex, textured compositions that challenged the viewer's perception of art and materiality. The "Cretti" series, on the other hand, explored the theme of craquelure, deliberately inducing cracking in the paint to create intricate patterns that evoke the arid landscapes of his homeland. Burri's innovative use of materials and his abstract, textured compositions earned him international acclaim. He was associated with several artistic movements, including Arte Povera, and influenced a generation of artists both in Italy and abroad. His work was not only a reflection of his personal experiences and the socio-political context of his time but also a profound exploration of the materiality of art itself. Despite his international success, Burri remained deeply connected to his roots in Città di Castello. In the later years of his life, he established the Fondazione Palazzo Albizzini Collezione Burri in his hometown, housing a significant collection of his works and contributing to the cultural heritage of the region. Burri's legacy continues to influence contemporary art, with his innovative approach to materials and his exploration of the boundaries between painting and sculpture remaining relevant to this day. Alberto Burri passed away on February 13, 1995, in Nice, France, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire and challenge the art world. His contributions to modern art are celebrated in museums and galleries worldwide, and his innovative spirit lives on through the artists and movements he influenced.

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