The Life and Education of Ezio Martinelli
Ezio Martinelli was an American painter and a member of the New York School Abstract Expressionist artists. Born in Hoboken, United States, he pursued his artistic training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. Upon returning to the United States, he studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City between 1932 and 1936. During this period, he studied under Leon Kroll and Gifford Beal, drew with Ivan Olinsky, and practiced sculpture under his teacher, Robert Aiken.
His professional career included significant roles within the Federal Art Project WPA, where he served as an easel painter and unit supervisor from 1937 to 1941. Martinelli was also associated with the New York studio Atelier 17 from the late 1940s through the early 1950s.
Teaching and Exhibitions
Martinelli held various teaching positions throughout his career. From 1946 to 1949, he taught Graphic Arts at the Philadelphia Museum School and the Pennsylvania School of Industrial Arts. Between 1949 and 1975, he taught Painting and Sculpture at Sarah Lawrence College. His academic contributions also included teaching at the Parsons School of Design and serving as a Sculptor-in-residence at the American Academy in Rome, Italy, from 1964 to 1965.
His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and held in various collections, including:
