Fortunato Depero, Futurism Cyclist, 1925, Oil Painting

Fortunato Alberto Lorenzo Depero (Fondo, 1892 - Rovereto, 1960) was one of the leading exponents of the Futurist movement, the most prominent artistic avant-garde in early 20th-century Italy. Depero was instrumental in the development of so-called Second Futurism, the second phase of the art movement. Second Futurism was distinguished from the first by a greater fusion of art and reality; it was inaugurated in 1915 by Giacomo Balla (Turin, 1871 - Rome, 1958) and Depero with the writing of the Manifesto of the Futurist Reconstruction of the Universe. In the Manifesto, Depero and Balla declared themselves abstract futurists and set as their goal the birth of an art that would involve every aspect of practical life. Through the fusion of art with everyday life, the Futurists would brighten the universe by recreating it in its entirety. To achieve this goal, artists were to take inspiration from the ’intangible, and then combine it with their inspiration, thus giving rise to plastic complexes. These were the new Futurist works, which would supplant previous art through the use of innovative materials and the combination of hitherto separate techniques.

The Manifesto of the Futurist Reconstruction of the Universe demonstrates the revolutionary and innovative charge of Fortunato Depero’s work. Indeed, the Roveretan was a great experimenter and sought to take his art among the people and into the streets, applying the principles of futuristic artistic research to different fields of art and production. To achieve this goal, Depero did not limit himself to classical artistic pursuits, such as painting, sculpture and architecture, but was involved in the production of tapestries, stage designs, advertising campaigns and pavilions.


About this painting:
Fortunato Depero made this cyclist in 1925 most likely in France. This version is made on a newspaper which could be La Figaro or La Gazzetta della sport from that period (1925). The newspaper is glued on a pulp paper background.

While researching this artwork I came to notice that the "work" was bigger then it is now. It was cut out on the sides. Problably to make it fit in to this frame work. The former owner(s) didn't had a clue, in that time, who Depero was. No internet. No connaisseurs. No information. Just a funny painting of a cyclist.

Underneath the Black paint line beneath the back wheel you can see the letters of the name of the artist. This can only be seen when it is taken out of the frame work.

I purchased this painting while I didn't have a clue as well. It was in my possession for a long time while I was thinking it was "bauhaus" related. An Italian advertisement photographer pointed me out that it was Fortunato Depero. I never heard of this artist in my life.

Research of Fortunato Depero brings up many things that are worth knowing.
For instants that he made multiple versions of one topic on various underground like; paper, canvas or wood. Of course there was the raw set-up. Mostly they were made by pencil (many of them came to auction). But he also made paintings on wood and made art figurines of wood. This "bicycle man" he also made on a wooden panel (auctioned) and was far more from "spot on" as one might think. As proof of multiple versions of one topic I found a "Tacchino" (Turkey) of which he made several versions - even a tapestry. So why he shouldn't make one on a newspaper like mine(?).
Versions of the "Cyclist" also show the twirling (spiral) which you can also see on the left upper corner on this version. So it's no coincidence it's there.
Fortunato also signed his work in various ways (or didn't sign them). Signatures like: Fortunato Depero, F. Depero, Depero, F.D.... etcetera came to our attention.

A once in a life time chance for the art Collector to get a furturism artwork of great importance.

Dimensions : W63 H59 D4.5 cm