Mario Sironi

Mario Sironi was one of the most important Italian artists of the twentieth century, born in Sassari on May 12, 1885, and died in Milan on August 13, 1961. Coming from a family with strong artistic and cultural roots, Sironi trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, where he met prominent figures such as Giacomo Balla and Umberto Boccioni. Initially close to Futurism, Sironi evolved his style towards a more monumental and symbolic painting, becoming one of the founders in 1922 of the Novecento Italiano movement, which promoted a modern classicism in art.
Throughout his career, Sironi distinguished himself not only as a painter but also as a sculptor, architect, illustrator, set designer, and graphic artist, significantly contributing to mural painting in the 1930s. His art was influenced by movements such as Futurism and Metaphysical art, characterized by a strong sense of monumentality and often a dark and dramatic vision, especially after World War II.
During the Fascist period, Sironi was a committed supporter of the regime, a role that influenced both his artistic production and his post-war reputation. Despite personal hardships, including the loss of his daughter and increasing isolation, he continued to exhibit until his death from bronchopneumonia in 1961 in Milan. His work remains essential for understanding Italian art of the early twentieth century and the relationship between art and politics during that era.