Mario Radice was an Italian painter, born on August 10, 1898, in Como, Italy. He is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of abstractionism in Italy and a leading figure in the development of abstract art in Europe. His artistic journey began at a young age, influenced by the local artists Achille Zambelli and Pietro Clerici, from whom he took private lessons starting in 1912. These early experiences laid the foundation for his lifelong engagement with the arts. Radice's formative years were marked by a period of military service from 1918 to 1920, during which he traveled across Europe and encountered the post-war avant-gardes. This exposure to diverse artistic movements would later inform his unique approach to abstraction. After his military service, Radice briefly pursued university studies in veterinary science but soon abandoned this path to work in a paper mill. This experience deepened his understanding of paper and parchment production techniques, which would later influence his artistic practice. In 1927, Radice founded his own company, capitalizing on his invention of a machine for recycling sulfuric acid. His entrepreneurial venture led him to export his technology to a paper mill in Buenos Aires. However, the Wall Street crash of 1929 resulted in the loss of his accumulated capital in Argentina, prompting a shift in his career. The 1920s saw Radice's growing fascination with rationalist architecture. He became part of a group of artists and architects dedicated to the renewal of arts and architecture, which included notable figures such as Giuseppe Terragni, Piero Lingeri, and Luigi Figini. Radice's first exhibition in Como in 1927 marked the beginning of his active participation in the art world, leading to collaborations with prominent rationalist architects. By 1930, Radice had fully committed himself to painting. His work during this period included decorative projects such as the frescoes in the Casa del Fascio in Como, created between 1933 and 1936. These frescoes represented the first Italian example of abstract art in a public building and are considered one of his most significant contributions to the field. Radice's involvement with the Casa del Fascio also included designing furniture and winning the first prize at the National Craft Show in Florence in 1933. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Radice's reputation grew as he befriended cultural figures like Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and exhibited his work both in Italy and internationally. His prominence in the art world was further solidified when he received a personal room at the Venice Biennale in 1958 and was awarded the prestigious Einaudi Prize. Radice's work is characterized by a harmonious and lyrical combination of geometric shapes, distinguishing him from other European abstractionists such as Kazimir Malevich and Piet Mondrian. His ability to blend these shapes in a balanced manner earned him recognition as a leader of the Italian abstract movement. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Radice was deeply involved in social and cultural activities. He was a member of various associations and foundations and contributed as an art critic for a local newspaper. His ethical and moral stance was reflected in his role as a theorist, essayist, and exhibition curator. Radice's legacy includes a vast body of work that spans several decades, showcasing his evolution as an artist and his commitment to abstractionism. His works are held in the permanent collections of numerous modern art museums, including those in Milan, Trento, Rovereto, Turin, and Rome. Mario Radice passed away on July 26, 1987, leaving behind a rich artistic heritage that continues to influence and inspire the world of abstract art.

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