Animalarium: March 2014

Saturday, March 1, 2014

This year it seems to me that time is flying faster than usual; March is already here

and I am left wondering where February has gone... Unfortunately, this also means

that I won't have the time to visit the beautiful exhibition of Felice Tosalli which ends

next week at the Galleria dell'Incisione in Brescia. One more reason to thank

the gallery's owner and curator Chiara Padova for sending me the catalogue

and these pics to enjoy and share with you!

The talented Italian artist Felice Tosalli (1883-1958) was among the many artists

who turned their interest to animal themes during the late 19th and early 20th century.

He was born in Valsesia, an Alpine valley that was also the birthplace of my paternal grandfather,

and learned to master his father's woodworking craft as an apprentice in his workshop.

After completing his studies in Turin, in 1903 Tosalli moved to Paris and found employment

in a wood restoration shop. In Paris he often visited the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes

to observe and sketch the captive animals. His precise and careful study of animal bodies and gestures

is obviously the source of the elegant drawings and preparatory sketches on show at the gallery,

and of the wonderfully lifelike poses of his sculptures.

In 1907 Tosalli went back to Turin, where he worked as a movie poster artist

and as a lithographer and illustrator at Fratelli Doyen. He also began to participate

in art exhibitions and receive commissions, mostly in the field of wooden sculpture.

In the late 1920's Tosalli began to produce a series of limited edition animal figurines

in ceramic for the famous Italian company Lenci, and later for Rosenthal and C.

These small works are still much appreciated by collectors for their refinement,

attention to detail, and ability to capture the spontaneous beauty of animal life.

Sunday, March 9, 2014