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of art by this artist.
Franco Grignani Biography
Franco Grignani was an Italian architect, graphic designer, and artist, renowned for his pioneering work in the field of graphic design and for creating one of the most iconic logos of the 20th century, the Woolmark logo. Born on February 4, 1908, in Pieve Porto Morone, a small town not far from Milan, Grignani's early life was shaped by a traditional, mannered family that instilled in him a sense of perfectionism from an early age. This upbringing would later influence his meticulous and disciplined approach to both art and design.
Grignani's academic journey began with a focus on mathematics, but his interests soon shifted towards architecture, leading him to move to Turin to become an architecture student. During this period, he joined the second wave of Futurism, dedicating about six years to figurative experimentations dedicated to speed and mechanics. However, Grignani's work quickly evolved towards more abstract subjects, particularly through photography, marking the beginning of his lifelong exploration of optical effects and perceptual processes.
Despite his brief affiliation with the Futurist movement, most of Grignani's works from this period are now lost. After 1935, his work turned toward geometric abstraction, abandoning any lingering figurative elements. His studies in mathematics and architecture, conducted between the late 1920s and the early 1930s, laid the foundation for his unique approach to design and art. Grignani opened a studio in Milan specializing in exhibition design and graphics, where he produced advertising campaigns for high-profile companies like Pirelli and Alfieri & Lacroix, and designed covers for science fiction novels published by Penguin Books in the late 1960s.
Grignani's work was characterized by its use of blurred forms, and warped and dynamic ‘virtual’ shapes that seem to emerge out of, and recede back into, the surfaces of his compositions. His exploration of perceptual processes was largely inspired by Gestalt Psychology. This exploration was undertaken through both painting and photography, revealing a growing fascination with optical effects that anticipated Op Art.
The most famous work of Grignani's career was created in 1964 when the International Wool Secretariat chose one of his studies as the winner of an international competition for a new logo. Due to his position as a member of the jury, Grignani was unable to submit a design under his own name. Disappointed at the standard of the Italian entries, he submitted a design under the pseudonym ‘Francesco Saroglia’. His design, based on a skein of wool but resembling a Möbius strip, reflected his interest in mathematics and became one of the most recognizable, elegant, and effective trademarks of all time.
Throughout his career, Grignani never confined himself to a specific movement or style, instead, he made a point to be different from everyone else. His work, which spanned from the 1950s to the 1990s, included around 130 paintings and works on paper, many of which are now part of private collections and the Manuela Grignani Sirtoli Archive. Grignani's ideas were initially not understood by the artistic establishment, and he worked largely in isolation, yet his influence on contemporary design remains profound.
Grignani's legacy is not only in the iconic Woolmark logo but also in his approach to graphic design as an experimental laboratory to observe and control optical phenomena. His work continues to inspire artists and designers worldwide, demonstrating the timeless nature of his vision and the enduring relevance of his contributions to the fields of art and design. Franco Grignani passed away on February 20, 1999, at the age of 91, leaving behind a body of work that continues to captivate and inspire.
Franco Grignani Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
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and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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