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Ardengo Soffici Biography
Ardengo Soffici was a multifaceted Italian artist, whose work spanned painting, writing, and poetry, and who played a significant role in the development of modern art in Italy. Born on April 7, 1879, in Rignano sull'Arno, near Florence, Soffici showed an early interest in drawing and literature. His family moved to Florence in 1893, where he furthered his education at the Accademia di Belle Arti from 1897 and later at the Scuola Libera del Nudo of the academy.
In 1900, Soffici's artistic journey took a pivotal turn when he moved to Paris, the epicenter of the avant-garde. He lived there for seven years, immersing himself in the Symbolist movement and contributing to Symbolist journals. During this period, he became acquainted with influential artists such as Georges Braque, André Derain, Juan Gris, Pablo Picasso, and the poet Guillaume Apollinaire. This exposure to the burgeoning art scene in Paris had a profound impact on Soffici's artistic development.
Upon his return to Italy in 1907, Soffici began to disseminate his knowledge of French modernism, particularly Impressionism, through his writings for the cultural journal La Voce. He was instrumental in organizing an Impressionist exhibition in Florence in 1910, which included a room dedicated to the work of Medardo Rosso. Despite initially criticizing Futurism, Soffici's encounter with the movement led to a change of heart, and by 1913 he had joined the Futurists, contributing to their exhibitions and giving their art and theory significant coverage in Lacerba, a journal he edited with Giovanni Papini.
Soffici's engagement with African art, mediated by French modernism, led him to articulate a painterly aesthetic that was both 'primitive' and classical. His interest in non-Western art forms, as well as sources outside the traditional canon such as folk art, the early Florentine Renaissance, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Rousseau, was influenced by his interactions with figures like Apollinaire and Picasso. However, after returning to Italy, Soffici shifted his focus from African references to Tuscan folk paintings, demonstrating the complex interplay of non-Western influences with Italian art.
During World War I, Soffici served as a volunteer and was captured as a British prisoner of war. In the allied prison camp, he met other artists and writers, and together they engaged in creative activities to cope with the harsh conditions. After his release, Soffici returned to Italy and settled in Poggio a Caiano, spending summers in Forte dei Marmi.
Post-war, Soffici's art took a turn towards a reverence for tradition, which was reflected in the naturalistic landscapes that dominated his work for the rest of his life. Despite his brief affiliation with Futurism, which ended with the outbreak of the war, Soffici's work continued to address neutral imagery such as landscapes, still life compositions, and figure studies, often reflecting Cubism's analytical approach to form and volume.
Soffici's literary contributions are also noteworthy, with a bibliography that includes poems such as "BÏF§ZF+18 = Simultaneità" and "Chimismi lirici" (1915), novels like "Ignoto toscano" (1909) and "Lemmonio Boreo" (1912), and essays such as "Il caso Rosso e l'impressionismo" (1909). His work in literature paralleled his artistic endeavors, often exploring avant-garde typography and modernist themes.
Ardengo Soffici passed away on August 19, 1964, in Forte dei Marmi, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in the development of Italian art. His work and influence extended beyond the canvas to the cultural and intellectual fabric of early 20th-century Italy, marking him as a significant contributor to the modernist movement. His engagement with various art forms and movements, from Impressionism to Futurism and Cubism, as well as his exploration of primitivism and classicism, showcase his eclectic approach and enduring impact on the art world.
Ardengo Soffici 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
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