Galileo Chini

description

Key Ideas:

– The artist’s work is a vivid example of Italian Art Nouveau or “liberti”, as it was called in this country. The works of Galileo Chini are distinguished by the richness of decorative elements, ornamentality, flowing lines and intricate patterns, which is typical for this style.

– Pictures of the Italian artist have nothing to do with everyday life and drab existence: they are sublime and full of romance. The favorite themes of the artist were mythological subjects, nature and universal concepts, such as love, spring, life and death. On the paintings of Chini, there are often allegorical images and symbols, a vivid example of which are the panels “Spring” for the Venice Biennale, where young and beautiful girls personify the annual revival of nature.

– Galileo Cini was a versatile creative person. In addition to paintings, he created a design for ceramic dishes and vases, which is distinguished by its unique refinement, painted monumental wall panels, frescoes and mosaics decorating the public buildings of Florence, Rome and even the distant Siam. These decorative works are characteristic of rhythmic equilibrium, which is created by alternating monochrome surfaces filled with patterns and the harmonious ratio of the figure to the background.

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1873

1896

1897

1911

1915

1921

1930

1956

The birth of the artist

Galileo Chini was born on December 2, 1873 in Florence.

Founded the manufactory "Ceramic Art"

Founded the manufactory “Ceramic Art” in Florence. His partners were J. Vanuzzi, J. Montelatisi and V. Jianti. This small enterprise produced high-quality decorative handmade products, refusing to mechanize production. Gradually, the ceramics of Chini became a model of the decorative art of Italy in the period of “liberti” and gained extraordinary popularity among people.

“Fornasi di San Lorenzo”

The municipality of San Miniato commissioned Dario Chini to restore the frescoes of the Sala del Comunale Council building. After the death of Dario, the work went to Galileo, who finished it by November 1898. In the next few years, until 1905, the artist painted various public buildings and temples. He created paintings in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Florence, as well as a series of frescos in the Cavour Hotel in Florence and the Grand Hotel La Pace in Montecatini. At the same time, Chini left the Ceramic Art and created, together with his cousin, the porcelain factory “Fornasi di San Lorenzo”.

Spent several years in Thailand (Siam)

Spent several years in Thailand (Siam). By the order of King Rama V, he designed the throne room of the royal palace in Bangkok. In 1913, Chini returned to Italy with a large collection of photographs and pictures of Siam. He also brought many oriental relics, which he donated in 1950 to the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Florence.

Taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence

Taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. He began to work on the scenery of Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi. This opera presented in 1919 was a great success; the audience and critics noted the wonderful scenery of Chini.

Participated in the First Biennale in Rome

Participated in the First Biennale in Rome; in 1924 again exhibited his work at the Biennale in Venice. The artist returned to work on theatrical scenery for the opera Turandot, again collaborating with Puccini.

Cheney experienced a deep emotional and creative crisis

Cheney experienced a deep emotional and creative crisis. His search led to the fact that he turned to the artists of the mcciaoli, who worked in an original manner, close to Impressionism, but with realistic subjects. This was the beginning of a particularly happy period, in which the artist created small landscape compositions, and which lasted until the end of his life.