Roberto Iras Baldessari

Roberto Marcello Iras Baldessari * (Innsbruck 1894–1965 Rome) Forme dinamiche nello Spazio (Forme dinamiche 20°), circa 1915, signed R. M. Baldessari, oil on canvas, 63 x 44 cm, framed, (PP) Photo certificate: Archivio Unico per il Catalogo delle Opere Futuriste di Roberto Marcello Baldessari, Prof. Maurizio Scudiero, Rovereto, 9 November 2010, no. B15 – 77 ”Dipinti” This work is registered at the Archivio Unico per il Catalogo delle Opere Futuriste di Roberto Marcello Baldessari, Rovereto as no. Nr. B15 - 77”Dipinti” (confirmation available). Provenance: Private Collection, Italy This work belongs to a greater cycle of experiments on the theme of „dynamism and simultaneity“ loaned by Bocconi´s workshop, which was wound up between the end of 1914 and early 1916. It stands in direct relation to another work, „Forme Dinamiche No. 12“ (referenced in the General Catalogue under Serial 15-57), a pastel drawing with which it forms a sort of sequential diptych or—in other words—it appears as the second photogram of a dynamic-plastic sequence, where the „plastic“ aspect was in all probability suggested by the artist´s familiarity with the book „Dinamismo-plastico“ (Plastic Dynamism) by Boccioni.

Roberto Marcello Iras Baldessari * (Innsbruck 1894–1965 Rome) Figure per Teatro Spaziale, circa 1919, signed R. M. Baldessari, oil on canvas, 92 x 73 cm, framed, (PP) Photo certificate: Prof Maurizio Scudiero, Archivio Unico per il Catalogo delle Opere Futuriste di Roberto Baldessari, Rovereto, 12 June 2003 The work was registered with the Archivio Unico per il Catalogo delle Opere Futuriste di Roberto Marcello Baldessari, Rovereto, as no. B 19–24 on 12 June 2003. Provenance: Galleria Arte Centro, Milan (label and stamp verso); Private Collection, Italy (acquired there) Exhibition: Futurismo e Aeropittura. Velocità e dinamismo dal Trentino alla Sicilia, Milan, Galleria Arte Centro, 19 February - 19 May 2009, exh. cat., ill. page 29 'Figura per Teatro Spaziale’’’’ is one of a cycle of experimental works, in which Baldessari is reworking his style and starting in the early 1920s to move between the volumetrics of Sironi and the Dadaism of Schwitters.

Roberto Marcello Baldessari (Innsbruck 1894–1965 Rome) ‘Fanali futuristi’’’’’’’’ (Strada - Notte 2), circa 1918– 20, monogrammed RMB, on the reverse monogrammed illegibly RMB, titled, oil on cardboard, 44 x 36 cm, framed, (PP) Certificate: Archivio Baldessari, Maurizio Scudiero, Rovereto, 24 November 1999 This work is registered in the Archivio Baldessari, Maurizio Scudiero, Rovereto. The work will be included in the Catalogo Ragionato of works by Roberto Marcello Baldessari being prepared by Maurizio Scudiero, Rovereto. Provenance: Fonte d’’’’’’’’ Abisso, Milan (label on the reverse); Arte Centro, Milan; Private collection, Europe Exhibitions: Rovereto (TN),1996; Galleria Fonte d’’’’’’’’Abisso Arte, Milan 1997; Arte Trentina del ‘900, Palazzo Trentini PAT Trento, 5 June - 29 July 2000; R. M. Baldessari opere futuriste 1914–1923, Galleria Artecentro Milan, October 2001; Roberto Marcello “Iras” Baldessari, Palazzo Trentini PAT Trento, 4-30 March 2002; Futurismo, prodromo del centenario - Spazioeventi Orler (VE), 21 April - 23 June 2007; Baldessari & Depero: futurismi a confronto, Fondazione Dino Zoli, Forli (FC), 11 May - 13 July 2008 Literature: Arte Trentina del ‘900, Palazzo Trentini PAT TN, exh. cat., ed. Litografia EffeErre, Trento 2000, page 64 with ill.; R. M. Baldessari opere futuriste 1914– 1923, ed. La Grafica Mori, Trento 2001, page 38 with ill.; Roberto Marcello “Iras” Baldessari, Palazzo Trentini PAT TN, exh. cat., ed. Litografia EffeErre, Trento 2002, page 44 with ill.; Futurismo, prodromo del centenario, exh. cat., Fabrizio Fabbri Editore, 2007, page 19 with ill.; Baldessari & Depero: futurismi a confronto, Fondazione Dino Zoli, Forli (FC), ed. La Grafica Mori, Trento 2008, page 134 with ill. Born Innsbruck, the artist, Roberto Marcello Baldessari studied at the Academy of Arts in Venice, finding his way to Futurism around 1914. In the following year, he moved to Florence, where he arrived at his own style by means of reinterpreting the works of Boccioni, which was in evidence as early as 1916. On his numerous journeys he became familiar with the international art scene and developments, such as Cubism and Dadaism. The work ‘Fanali futuristi’’’’’’’’ (Strada-Notte 2) was executed in 1918-20, a motif of which he produced several versions. Here Baldessari represents a street scene at night, through which a few black figures move. The Futurist light in large triangular forms shines down on the street like powerful searchlights. The street is thus delineated in sharp edges and broken forms by means of lit and unlit zones, as are the framing rows of houses. Baldessari added large letters to his Futurist composition, which he laid out in the upper half of the image. Specialist: Mag. Patricia Pálffy

Roberto Marcello Iras Baldessari (1894-1965) Dinamismo + Luce 2 firmato R.M. BALDESSARI (in basso a destra) olio su cartone cm 27x30 Eseguito nel 1917 c. Opera archiviata presso l'Archivio Unico per il Catalogo delle Opere Futuriste di Roberto Marcello Baldessari, Rovereto, n. B17-57, in data 10 novembre 2005 (con dimensioni errate) Special Notice Artist's Resale Right ("droit de Suite"). If the Artist's Resale Right Regulations 2006 apply to this lot, the buyer also agrees to pay us an amount equal to the resale royalty provided for in those Regulations, and we undertake to the buyer to pay such amount to the artist's collection agent. Where there is no symbol Christie's generally sells lots under the Margin Scheme. The final price charged to Buyer's for each lot, is calculated in the following way: 30% of the final bid price of each lot up to and including € 5.000,00 26% of the excess of the hammer price above €5.000,00 and up and including € 400.000,00 18,5% of the excess of the hammer price above €400.000,00 Saleroom Notice Esposizione: Belorizonte, Casa Fiat de Cultura, Speed. Arte e velocitade, 13 giugno - 30 settembre 2007, cat., p. 66 (illustrato) Exhibited: Belorizonte, Casa Fiat de Cultura, Speed. Arte e velocitade, 13th June - 30th September 2007, cat., p. 66 (illustrated) Provenance Galleria Arte Centro, Milano Ivi acquisito dall'attuale proprietario