Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Ubaldo Oppi Biography
Ubaldo Oppi was an Italian painter, born on July 29, 1889, in Bologna, Italy. His early life was marked by a significant move when he was just four years old, as his family relocated to Vicenza. This move would be the first of many that shaped his artistic journey. Oppi's father, a shoe salesman, had aspirations for his son to learn the shoe trade in the German-speaking countries of Europe. However, Oppi's passion for art led him down a different path. Between 1907 and 1909, he chose to stay in Vienna to study under the renowned artist Gustav Klimt, a decision that marked the beginning of his formal education in art.
After his studies in Vienna, Oppi returned to Italy but was soon drafted into the military, serving along the Adriatic coasts. His artistic journey then took him to Paris, where he immersed himself in the modern artistic circles of the time. It was in Paris that he had a brief affair with Fernande Olivier, who had been the mistress of Pablo Picasso, an acquaintance of Oppi. This period was crucial for his development as an artist, as he exhibited his works for the first time at the V Esposizione d’arti e industrie veneziane in Venice.
With the outbreak of World War I, Oppi returned to Italy and enlisted in the Alpine Corps. He was captured and taken prisoner, spending several months in Mauthausen. This harrowing experience did not deter him from his artistic pursuits; upon his release, he returned to Paris and continued to exhibit his work, including at the prestigious Salon des Indépendants.
In 1922, Oppi, along with other visionary artists such as Anselmo Bucci, Leonardo Dudreville, Achille Funi, Emilio Malerba, Piero Marussig, and Mario Sironi, founded the Novecento Italiano in Milan. This group aimed to promote a new artistic awakening, supported by Margherita Sarfatti and the emerging fascist party. Despite his initial involvement, Oppi soon left the group and exhibited his work independently, including at the 1926 Venice Biennale.
Oppi's style evolved over the years, from his early influences under Klimt to his involvement with the Novecento Italiano. He is considered one of the leading exponents of Magic Realism, a style characterized by the inclusion of classical elements such as drapery or architecture in a setting that is suspended in time and rarefied. His work often depicted stories of marginalization, amid themes of misery, loneliness, and poverty, with a focus on the human figure, particularly female, which became softer and more sinuous over time.
In the late 1920s, Oppi took a spiritual turn, with many of his later works including religious motifs and altarpieces. He created impressive frescoes for the Chapel of San Francesco in the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua and later for the church in Bolzano Vicentino. During World War II, he served as a lieutenant colonel of the Alpine troops.
Ubaldo Oppi's work gained international recognition, with exhibitions in Monaco, Dresden, and Vienna, among other cities. His art has been featured in numerous key galleries and museums, such as MART, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto. His work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging significantly, reflecting the appreciation and demand for his art.
Oppi died on October 25, 1942, in Vicenza, but his artistic legacy continues to live on. Today, Ubaldo Oppi art prints are more than just a tribute to a great artist; they are a window into an extraordinary era, allowing admirers to bring a piece of history into their homes or offices. His contributions to the Italian and international art scenes remain a testament to his talent, vision, and enduring influence.
Ubaldo Oppi 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.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: