Flair Gallery rediscovers Samartino's universal language

From March 14 to April 30, a beautiful retrospective to learn about this artist of emotions and breathe in the atmosphere of a unique century

From next March 14 until April 30, an unmissable appointment at the Flair Gallery in Lungarno Corsini, with the retrospective dedicated to Samartino entitled Visions of the Twentieth Century.

The result of a demanding work of archiving and research, aimed at rediscovering and enhancing the artistic production of an author who crossed the main artistic currents of the last century, the exhibition offers a complete overview of the artist's creative path , characterized by a continuous experimentation of themes, subjects, techniques and colors.

Samartino, Visioni del Novecento

Edoardo Perrone di San Martino was born on October 16, 1901, in Perosa Canavese, in the province of Turin, in the family's summer residence. His was an affluent family of the Piedmontese nobility, close to the Savoy Court; Edoardo's artistic education began early and was rigorously cultivated: little more than 15 years old he was a pupil of Mario Reviglione in Turin, a few years later of Augusto Bastianini in Florence.

In 1924 Samartino (he would sign himself as such, by phonetic choice) went to Paris to attend the Grande Chaumière Academy and the Ranson Academy where he met Joseph Raynefeld (1908-1940). It is a decisive meeting. In 1930 Samartino rents a lodging on Rue Clausel, next to the home of “père Tanguy” frequented by Cèzanne and Van Gogh; but his Parisian friendships and habits, especially his love affair with Raynfeld, cost him a break with his family, although he will never lack the support of his sister, and nephews (to them and their heirs we owe the present Archives).

Perrone alternated between long stays in Paris and Italy, traveling alone or with Raynfeld (memorable was their escape from Spain at the height of the civil war, in a car with Silvana Pampanini), and at the outbreak of war he left all his works (which he would not find again) with an acquaintance in Paris and returned to Italy. Raynfeld, meanwhile, took refuge in the hamlet of Sainte Foy La Grande, where he committed suicide in July 1940 feeling hunted by Nazi troops. From this time on, his life will be a continuous wandering. Naples, Siena, Urbino, Pecetto, Florence, Paris, New York, Zurich, etc. In 1987, his beloved San Giminiano welcomed him for a solo exhibition, with the important contribution of Jacques Lassaigne who wrote the artist's presentation for the catalog. Samartino died on July 17, 1992, in Basel.

Samartino, with his 'visions,' invites us to explore inner worlds and emotions, restoring through color and material the essence of an extraordinary century.

The exhibition vernissage is Thursday, March 13, from 6 p.m. by invitation only.

From March 14, the exhibition will be on view at the following times:

• Monday 3 - 7 pm

• Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 13 and 14 - 19