Adolfo Wildt
Encyclopedia
Adolfo Wildt was an Italian sculptor whose works, which blend simplicity and sophistication, led the way for numerous modernist sculptors.http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=it&ie=UTF-8&sl=it&tl=en&u=http://www.sapere.it/tca/MainApp%3Fsrvc%3Ddcmnt%26url%3D/tc/arte/articoli/DP/A/Scultura/Wildt.jsp&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhiJZ8KE8GtM0SMRp7XYHHexEut1Xg
. Because of his family's limited means, Wildt left school at age nine to work as an apprentice; first as a hairdresser and then as a goldsmith. At eleven he began his apprenticeship in the workshop of Giuseppe Grandi who introduced him to the working of marble. His ability to finish the marble made him famous at the age of eighteen. From 1888 he worked for Federico Villa, which made him known as one of the most famous sculptors of the Lombardi era. At the same time, Wildt could continue his studies at the Brera
, the School of Applied Arts and then all 'Accademia di Belle Arti.
. In 1921 he founded his School in Milan Marble which then became part of the 'Accademia di Brera and was developed in 1927 in a three-year program. Among his most famous pupils were Lucio Fontana
, Fausto Melotti and Luigi Broggini.
background, Wildt is dedicated to the art of sculpture strongly influenced by the Secession and by Art Nouveau
. It is characterized by complex symbol
ism and by definition is almost gothic in its forms.
The extreme smoothness their surfaces gives his marble busts their absolute purity and plastic integrity that has always tried to reconcile with an almost frenzied dramatic feeling.
For this, Wildt is on the threshold of 'Expressionism that proves particularly sad and upset in the expression of his self-portrait of 1908.
A significant body of his masterpieces is present in the Civic Museums of Forlì
: Fulcieri Paulucci de 'Calboli (1919), Saint Lucia (1926), St. Francis of Assisi (1926), Mask of sorrow or Portrait (1908–1909), Lux (1920), The fountain santa (1921), protection of children or little ones (1918).
Early life
Wildt came from a poor family of Swiss origin who many generations before had settled in LombardyLombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
. Because of his family's limited means, Wildt left school at age nine to work as an apprentice; first as a hairdresser and then as a goldsmith. At eleven he began his apprenticeship in the workshop of Giuseppe Grandi who introduced him to the working of marble. His ability to finish the marble made him famous at the age of eighteen. From 1888 he worked for Federico Villa, which made him known as one of the most famous sculptors of the Lombardi era. At the same time, Wildt could continue his studies at the Brera
Brera
Brera is a district of Milan, ItalyBrera may also refer to:* the Palazzo Brera, a historical building in Brera; the palace also houses:** the Brera Art Academy** the Brera Art Gallery** the Brera Astronomical Observatory...
, the School of Applied Arts and then all 'Accademia di Belle Arti.
First exhibition
In 1893 he exhibited the first work, a portrait of his wife, the Society for Fine Arts in Milan, which was immediately captured by the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome. From 1894 he worked for Franz Rose, a Prussian collector, with whom he signed a contract for a period of eighteen years. With this protection, Wildt could immerse himself in his work, participating regularly in exhibitions held in Milan, Monaco, Zurich, Berlin and Dresden.Later career
After the death of its promoter Rose (1912), was forced to compete for the first time with the art market. In 1913, he was awarded the Premio Principe Umberto for his design for the fountain show at The trilogy of Secession of Monaco, then exhibited in the courtyard of the Humane Society in Milan. From 1914 onwards he was able to regularly attend various international exhibitions. Furthermore, he also held a staff in 1919 at the Galleria Pesaro in Milan, while in 1921, 1924 and 1926 he exhibited at the Venice BiennaleVenice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice, Italy. The Venice Film Festival is part of it. So too is the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which is held in even years...
. In 1921 he founded his School in Milan Marble which then became part of the 'Accademia di Brera and was developed in 1927 in a three-year program. Among his most famous pupils were Lucio Fontana
Lucio Fontana
Lucio Fontana was an Italian painter, sculptor and theorist of Argentine birth. He was mostly known as the founder of Spatialism and his ties to Arte Povera.-Early life:...
, Fausto Melotti and Luigi Broggini.
Artwork
Having a strong late nineteenth century RomanticismRomanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
background, Wildt is dedicated to the art of sculpture strongly influenced by the Secession and by Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
. It is characterized by complex symbol
Symbol
A symbol is something which represents an idea, a physical entity or a process but is distinct from it. The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite. Numerals are symbols for...
ism and by definition is almost gothic in its forms.
The extreme smoothness their surfaces gives his marble busts their absolute purity and plastic integrity that has always tried to reconcile with an almost frenzied dramatic feeling.
For this, Wildt is on the threshold of 'Expressionism that proves particularly sad and upset in the expression of his self-portrait of 1908.
A significant body of his masterpieces is present in the Civic Museums of Forlì
Forlì
Forlì is a comune and city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and is the capital of the province of Forlì-Cesena. The city is situated along the Via Emilia, to the right of the Montone river, and is an important agricultural centre...
: Fulcieri Paulucci de 'Calboli (1919), Saint Lucia (1926), St. Francis of Assisi (1926), Mask of sorrow or Portrait (1908–1909), Lux (1920), The fountain santa (1921), protection of children or little ones (1918).