An exhibition to rediscover Alberto Bragaglia, protagonist of the futurist years

An exhibition in two locations to delve into the figure of Alberto Bragaglia (Frosinone, 1896 - Anzio, 1985), a protagonist of the years of futurism: it is titled Alberto Bragaglia. The Painter-Philosopher Beyond Futurism, is curated by Francesca Barbi Marinetti and Ferdinando Colloca, is organized by Associazione Adrenalina Project and runs from Nov. 19 to Dec. 11 at the Museo Civico “Umberto Mastroianni” in Marino (Rome) and from Dec. 13 to 18 at Palazzo Velli Expo Trastevere in Rome. The exhibition features previously unseen works along with drawings and memorabilia that characterized the artist’s career, as well as previously unseen videos and interviews.

Bragaglia, brother of Futurist Anton Giulio, author of the literary works Panplastica and Polychromia Spaziale Astratta, elaborated his own theory of painting based on a rhythm different from the “eternal omnipresent speed” and the “overwhelming and incendiary violence” of Marinetti’s Futurism. The exhibition aims to bring the public to delve into his art with a selection of oils on canvas, mixed media and watercolors on paper from private collections including some previously unseen. Some 40 paintings as well as numerous drawings and memorabilia will reveal his complex personality and philosophical thinking.

Influenced by the Futurist movement by simple frequentation of a number of artists who became friends to whom he allowed to exhibit in the family gallery, frequenter of the ateliers in Via Margutta and Villa Strohl Fern, in close contact with Umberto Boccioni and Giacomo Balla, he painted and wrote about art throughout his life. From his frequentation with Boccioni, Bragaglia put his advice and appreciation to good use, maintaining an excellent relationship with him. He experienced Futurism from his studio as an intellectual and artist, yielding to the innovative side mixed with a personal intimism, while maintaining in his writings and works an avant-garde spirit.

Bragaglia’s making followed European cultural events, citing their protagonists in his reflections, sketches, drawings, and canvases. His production began around 1915 and continued until 1985. In between, two degrees, in Law and in Humanities, and then teaching, theoretical activity, and research. Known as a “Pictor Philosophus,” Bragaglia was far removed from all twentieth-century schematisms.

Born in Frosinone on January 26, 1896, he was the son of engineer Francesco and Maria Tassi Visconti, a Roman noblewoman. The Bragaglia family had lived in Rome since 1903, on Via dei Banchi Vecchi. He attended the Visconti grammar school, and studied painting with Amedeo Bocchi and Umberto Boccioni. In 1920 he graduated in law and in 1923 in philosophy; in the same year his mother died. He began a teaching career in state high schools, which he continued until 1966. In 1926 he married Ines Desideri, known as Nessy. She has two sons, Francesco Maria and Leonardo; the latter noticed his father’s qualities and, thanks to him, many articles were published and exhibitions received critical attention. In 1985, at the age of eighty-nine, Alberto Bragaglia died, leaving everything to his son Leonardo, who continued to promote the legacy left by his father until his death in 2020.

Today, thanks to Leonardo Bragaglia’s nephew, Leonardo Bragaglia’s son Marco Bragaglia Minghi, artist Ferdinando Colloca, and Bragaglia’s longtime gallery owner Antonio Giuseppe Colloca, a new chapter in the rediscovery of this artist is opening. Painting was a matter of which he was jealous and shared it with few, which is why, according to the curators, he did not come to prominence with others and the numerous artistic output remained confined to his studio for decades.

For all information about the exhibition, which has free admission, you can visit www.albertobragaglia.com. Part of the works in the exhibition will be transformed into NFT and projected into the metaverse, fully hinging the meaning of the title “beyond” futurism.

An exhibition to rediscover Alberto Bragaglia, protagonist of the futurist years

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