Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art

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taketwo had the opportunity to visit the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art. The collection is internationally renowned for its core of Futurist works including paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures. Eric Estorick (1913-1993), American writer and sociologist, started the collection when he came to live in England after the Second World War. Following his marriage to Salome Dessau (1920-1989), a textile designer and businesswoman, the couple frequently travelled to Italy throughout the late 1940s and 1950s, meeting and befriending major artists of the day.

The Italian collection was shown in a series of important public exhibitions between 1954 and 1960, including one at the Tate in 1956. Prior to his death, Eric Estorick and his family decided to establish the Estorick Foundation to oversee his charitable bequest of 80 works of art. The Georgian house at 39a Canonbury Square was purchased in 1994 and refurbished with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to house the collection, art library, café and shop.

Estorick had purchased a work by Amedeo Madigliani during the 1930s, however it was his discovery of Futurist painting around 1948 that inspired his passion for modern Italian art and led him to make it the main focus of his collecting for many years. The Collection is characterised not only by its core Futurist works but also by its interest in figurative art from 1890 to the 1950s.

The earliest work is a sculpture in wax and plaster by the pioneering artist Medardo Rosso who, on the death of Auguste Rodin, was hailed as 'the greatest living sculptor' by Guillaume Apollinaire and influenced many artists including Boccioni. Later sculptors are also represented in the Collection: there are drawings and bronzes by Emilio Greco, Giacomo Manzù and Marino Marini, the latter two artists being largely credited with the rebirth of Italian sculpture in the 20th Century.

A large number of paintings and drawings by Mario Sironi and Massimo Campigli also form part of the Collection. The Estorick Collection is an amazing presentation of Modern Italian Art perfect for educational trips and anyone interested in art. Entry is free for students and anyone under 16 and £5 for adults, however you only pay for one when you taketwo with the taketwo 2 for 1 London voucher and guidebook. We also have another art gallery in our book so if you fancy something a bit more historic in it's paintings, check out the Dulwich Picture Gallery Go to our website: http://www.taketwobooks.com to order now.

Pictures

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