He set up more than sixty exhibitions and won several awards and recognitions, he published four novels and many articles. He was deeply involved in the field of religious art, and he commissioned more than forty wall paintings, including the one on the Sacca Fisola island, Altobello, Marghera and some full cycle of the Via Crucis. A hundred years ago, in February 12, 1922, the Venetian painter Ernani Costantini was born and to celebrate his anniversary the Bevilacqua La Masa Institute presents, on Friday, January 14 at Palazzo Tito, the exhibition “Cento anni di Ernani'' (A Hundred Years of Ernani), a unique event included in the official celebrations for the 1600 years anniversary of the city of Venice. In the rooms of the Palazzetto Tito the whole artistic itinerary concerning Ernani will be presented: from its early works, including those dating back to the second half of the fifties, up to his last big canvas painted in 2005. An artistic journey that Ernani created within the cultural background of the 19th century, which he was very familiar with. From its early experiences with the “cubist” art movement, through its personal figurative period, to its latest works which have a very strong personal mark. Ernani works have an undeniably strong technique, at first impression they seem easy and enjoyable, but are absolutely complex in terms of their content and composition. The aim is to revitalize some of the painter's most beautiful works, coming from both private and public collections, and for a long time now no longer on public display. A unique occasion for young artists and art lovers to know better the significant artworks of this Venetian artist, which will hopefully raise up new comparisons with modern and contemporary art.
Ernani was born in Venice in 1922, and here he lived and worked during his entire life until he passed away, in 2007. He graduated in 1942 at Venice School of Art, located at the Carmini, and there he studied with Ercole Sibellato, Mario Disertori, Giorgio Wenter and Giulio Lorenzetti. He served as a volunteer in the Italy Liberation War,in a unit attached to the 5th US Army. In the tough post-war period he worked as painter at the Scalera Film studios of Giudecca, and then as draughtsman for the Water Authority. In 1949 he became an art teacher and moved to Vittorio Veneto city, but just four years later he decided to move back to Venice, dedicating himself to painting and artistic production.
We can find evidence of his commitment to the different field of art in his rich production of painting and in the several exhibitions he set up in different art galleries of Venice and around Italy, as well as abroad. He was deeply involved in the decoration of churches, especially those of Venice and its mainland, until his death in 2008.
The exhibition can be visited until February 29, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.30AM to 5.30PM at Palazzo Tito, Dorsoduro 2826.
For further information visit www.bevilacqualamasa.it