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Alberto Martini (1876–1954) |
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An Italian Modernist painter,
engraver, pastellist, and illustrator, Martini was born in Oderzo, the
son of the painter Giorgio Martini. His family moved to Treviso in 1879,
where his father taught drawing, and it was under his guidance that the
young Alberto began learning to paint and draw. His father was the only
teacher he ever had, encouraging him to study from life and to copy the
paintings of old masters. Martini's earlier subjects included botanical
and animal studies, as well as landscapes. In 1895, he began
illustrating literary works, a field to which he dedicated much of his
career. He exhibited his works regularly until the late 1920s, both in
Italy and abroad, with his range of work—ranging from elegant to
macabre—receiving mixed reviews from critics. His drawings were known
for their elegant and detailed black-and-white style, often infused with
a morbid and macabre tone. This was later replaced by a more satirical
and mordant approach, targeting social injustice, the Catholic Church,
militarism, and political zealots he believed were responsible for
Europe's devastation. Dissatisfied with Italian critics, Martini moved
to Paris in 1928, but returned to Milan in 1934 due to financial
difficulties. His most notable works include illustrations for works by
Poe and Dante. By the end of his career, he had completed a vast
catalogue of artworks, predominantly featuring horror, grotesque, and
fantasy themes—some of which were particularly terrifying and were said
to express his own nightmares and visions. Martini’s style was clearly
influenced by artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Joseph Sattler, Lucas
Cranach, and Pieter Bruegel, and he was regarded by some as a precursor
of Surrealism. He was awarded an honorary diploma by the Museum of Fine
Arts in Nancy in 1946 and had been invited by the French Surrealists to
join their group, although he declined. Martini continued to work until
his death, which took place in Milan. |
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Art