FORTUNATO DEPERO – progetti futuristi

This exhibition presents to the public for the first time an extraordinary group of twenty-eight previously unseen drawings by Fortunato Depero (1892–1960), a central figure of Italian Futurism and an undisputed protagonist of twentieth-century art. Coming from a private collection, these pencil-on-paper projects span the period from 1919 to 1928 and bear witness to the artist’s inexhaustible vitality: advertisements for Campari and beer, theatrical set designs, tapestries, cushions, vests or waistcoats, and magazine covers. In an era of profound transformation, Depero succeeded in being an illustrator, advertiser, set designer, designer, and writer. These drawings confirm the complexity of a total artist who moved fluidly across languages and media with extraordinary visual coherence, where the sign becomes gesture, project, and vision.

This exhibition is intended not only as a tribute to Depero but also as an opportunity to reflect on the relevance of his thought, the modernity of his insights, and the iconic power of an artist who still speaks to the present. Gonnelli’s interest in Depero’s work began as early as 1913, when the gallery promoted the famous Futurist painting exhibition in collaboration with the journal La Voce, as well as a show of "drawings, watercolors, oils, tempera, and tapestries from 1920 to 1950" held at the premises of the Gonnelli Antiquarian Bookshop in the late 1970s. 

We are pleased to renew once again our commitment to enhancing and promoting these drawings and this exhibition, which forms part of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Gonnelli Antiquarian Bookshop (founded in 1875). The catalogue, curated by Maurizio Scudiero, is part of the Quaderni Gonnelli series, which for over forty years has explored the world of Italian and international graphic art between the 19th and 20th centuries.

 This exhibition tradition is rooted in the historic Saletta Gonnelli on Via Ricasoli, a space where past and present have always engaged in dialogue. Today, in the new venue on Via Fra’ Giovanni Angelico, the Gonnelli Antiquarian Bookshop, Auction House, and Art Gallery continues to promote historical heritage while also embracing the most recent contemporary artistic trends.

Wednesday, May 7, 6:00 PM

Professor Maurizio Scudiero, leading expert on Futurism and curator of the General Catalogue of Depero’s works, will be present at the opening and will give a brief talk about the exhibition.
GONNELLI ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSHOP, AUCTION HOUSE & ART GALLERY 

Via Fra Giovanni Angelico 49, Florence – www.gonnelli.it