by InTrieste
On October 1st, the Revoltella Museum in Trieste will host the concluding event of its celebrated art publishing series, shining a light on the legacies of two pivotal figures in 20th-century Italian art. Scholars Enrico Lucchese and Lorenzo Nuovo will present their recently published volume, Arturo Nathan and Filippo de Pisis: The Romantic 20th Century of Manlio Malabotta, at a free event in the museum’s “Marco Sofianopulo” Auditorium.
Lucchese, a professor of Contemporary Art History at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, and Nuovo, an art historian specializing in the intersection of visual arts and literature, offer a fresh perspective on the works of Filippo de Pisis and Arturo Nathan, two artists who played critical roles in shaping the artistic movement now referred to as the “Romantic 20th Century.” The term, coined by Triestine art critic and intellectual Manlio Malabotta in the early 1930s, describes a distinct aesthetic approach marked by introspective exploration and the reimagining of Romantic ideals in a modern context.
Through their research, Lucchese and Nuovo aim to uncover new dimensions of this era, deepening the understanding of these two major artists. “The works of de Pisis and Nathan have often been viewed through a narrow lens,” said Nuovo in a pre-event interview. “Our book seeks to expand that view, offering readers a more complex interpretation of the ‘Romantic 20th Century’ as envisioned by Malabotta.”
Manlio Malabotta’s influence on Trieste’s cultural landscape extends beyond his writings. A prolific poet, writer, and critic, Malabotta maintained close personal ties with the Revoltella Museum, a relationship that was instrumental in the institution’s support of artists such as Arturo Nathan. Malabotta’s work has left an indelible mark on both local and national art history debates, a legacy that is set to be commemorated in the new publication.
This event also marks the launch of Studies on 20th Century Art in Italy, a series dedicated to exploring the evolution of Italian art in the last century. The series will honor the memory of Franca Malabotta, wife of the famed critic, who made lasting contributions to the Trieste art scene. Franca, a pivotal figure in the preservation of Italian art, served as the president of the “Marcello Mascherini” Friends of Museums Association and, in 2017, donated over twenty works from her private collection to the Revoltella Museum. Her donation, which includes pieces by Arturo Nathan, Vittorio Bolaffio, and other prominent Triestine artists, underscores her enduring impact on the city’s artistic heritage.
As the final installment of this year’s art publishing series, the event promises to engage both art aficionados and scholars alike, offering a rare opportunity to revisit the romanticism of Italy’s 20th century through the lens of two masters and the critic who helped define their legacies.
The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1st, in the “Marco Sofianopulo” Auditorium at the Revoltella Museum, Trieste. Admission is free.
