Gastone Novelli was a multifaceted Italian artist whose life and work spanned a period of intense cultural and political change. Born on August 1, 1925, in Vienna, Novelli was the son of Margherita Mayer von Ketchendorf and Ivan Novelli. His early years were marked by the turbulence of World War II, during which he joined the Italian resistance at the tender age of 18. His involvement led to his arrest, imprisonment, and torture, and he was initially sentenced to death. However, thanks to his mother's intervention, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, and he was eventually freed when the Allies liberated the area. After the war, in 1945, Novelli moved to Florence, where he pursued higher education and graduated in social and political science. His artistic journey began in earnest in 1948 following a trip to Brazil, where he started to paint and immerse himself in the local art scene. Upon returning to Italy in 1950, he held his first solo exhibition at the Teatro Sistina in Rome, showcasing a series of expressionist paintings. The 1950s were a period of significant development for Novelli. He was introduced to the Art Club by Enrico Prampolini, a founder of the movement, and began to explore direct photography, a practice already established in Italy by artists such as Luigi Veronesi and Bruno Munari. In 1956, Corrado Cagli presented the first monograph on Novelli, marking a milestone in his career. The following year, Novelli made several trips to Paris, where he met influential figures such as Tristan Tzara, André Masson, Man Ray, and Hans Arp. He also had a solo show at the La Salita gallery in Rome, where he exhibited new works influenced by art informel. Novelli's connections with the literary world were profound. He collaborated with writers of the Italian Neo-Avantgarde, sharing an interest in linguistic experimentation. In 1962, he designed and published the "Antologia del possibile," and in 1964, he co-founded the review "Grammatica." His friendships with writers like Claude Simon, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1985, were a testament to his deep intellectual and creative exchanges. Throughout the 1960s, Novelli's work evolved to include signs and writing, moving beyond art informel. He frequently traveled to France, the United States, Greece, and Turkey, and held solo exhibitions both in Italy and internationally. His work began to reflect political themes, resonating with the cultural revolution and emancipation struggles of the time. In 1963, Novelli purchased land in Saturnia, where he built a house that became a hub for fellow artists and writers. His participation in the Biennial of São Paulo in the Italian section, organized by the Venice Biennale, led to an invitation to the Venice Biennale the following year, where he had his own room. He was nominated for the Gollin prize by Nello Ponente, and during this period, American art was gaining prominence, and Novelli made new friends, including Robert Rauschenberg. Novelli's work is characterized by a unique blend of visual art and literature, as he often incorporated text into his paintings. His artistic trajectory was marked by a constant search for new means of expression and a commitment to exploring the intersections between different art forms. His contributions to the art world were recognized by prestigious institutions such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts of La Chaux-de-Fonds, MASP–Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Museum of Modern Art in New York, National Gallery of Washington, and the British Museum in London. Tragically, Gastone Novelli's life was cut short when he passed away prematurely in 1968. Despite his relatively brief career, he left behind a legacy that continues to influence and inspire. His work is celebrated for its innovation, depth, and the way it captures the spirit of an era marked by radical change and experimentation. The Gastone Novelli Archive, established in 1995 by his heirs, serves as a testament to his enduring impact, offering a place for study and preservation of his works and documents related to his life. Novelli's art remains a subject of study and admiration, a unique artistic itinerary that remains strikingly ahead of its time.

Gastone Novelli Quotes and Sales of Works

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