Pericle Fazzini: Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

• Born on May 4, 1913, in Grottammare, Italy, to Vittorio Fazzini and Maria Alessandrini.
• Initially worked with his brothers in the family carpentry workshop, gaining early skills in carving wood.
• In 1930, moved to Rome with the support of poet Mario Rivosecchi, to study at the Scuola libera del nudo (Free School of Nude) at the Accademia di Belle Arti.
• Won a competition in Catania in 1931 for a monument to Cardinal Dusmet, though it was never realized.
• Secured a two-year bursary in 1932 with his low-relief sculpture Uscita dall'arca (Leaving the Ark).

Artistic Development and Influences

• Early works were influenced by Baroque traditions, emphasizing movement and plasticity.
• Participated in the II Rome Quadriennale in 1935, winning a prize for his bas-reliefs Dance and Storm.
• Joined the artistic movement Corrente around 1938, connecting with other progressive artists.
• Developed a style characterized by dynamic figures, often exploring themes of humanity and spirituality.
• Influenced by his early training in carpentry, which informed his understanding of form and material.

Major Works and Achievements

• Created numerous sculptures and paintings throughout his career, exhibiting at prestigious venues like the Venice Biennale.
• Won the Turin Prize in 1947 with the artwork Anita Standing.
• Received the Saint Vincent Prize in 1949 for Sibyl.
• His most celebrated work is La Resurrezione (The Resurrection), a monumental bronze sculpture installed in the Aula Paolo VI at the Vatican City, completed in 1977.
• Other significant works include: Monument to Padre Pio, Tabernacolo in Villa Nazareth, and Monumento alla Resistenza in Ancona.

Historical Significance and Legacy

• Fazzini’s work represents a significant contribution to 20th-century Italian sculpture.
• His sculptures are held in prominent collections worldwide, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and the Tate Gallery in London.
• La Resurrezione remains one of the most iconic religious artworks of the modern era.
• He taught at several prestigious art academies, shaping generations of artists.
• Fazzini’s ability to blend traditional techniques with modernist sensibilities established him as a leading figure in Italian art.

Death and Remembrance

• Pericle Fazzini passed away on December 4, 1987, in Rome.
• His legacy continues to inspire artists and captivate audiences with its powerful imagery and spiritual depth.