“The exhibition will commemorate the 60th anniversary of Osvaldo Licini’s death (1894–1958). In 1958 Licini exhibited 53 works, dating from 1925 to 1958, at the 29th Venice Biennale, in a gallery designed by Carlo Scarpa. Supported by Peggy Guggenheim’s friend and art critic, Giuseppe Marchiori, he was awarded the Grand Prix for Painting. Licini was a major figure in the development of Italian art in the first half of the 20th century. Following his early figurative works, Licini rejected realism and painted fully abstract works. The exhibition will comprise around 80 paintings that will exemplify Licini’s art, made of colors and signs that he viewed as expressions of energy, willpower, ideas, and magic.” — Peggy Guggenheim Collection

“He who seeks certainty rarely finds it.” — Osvaldo Licini

Osvaldo Licini. Amalassunta su fondo verde, 1949. Olio su tela, 79,5 × 99 cm. Collezione Gori-Fattoria di Celle, Pistoia. Photo Carlo Chiavacci, Pistoia © Osvaldo Licini, by SIAE 2018

Osvaldo Licini. L’uomo di neve, 1952. Olio su tela,  25.5 x 32.5 cm. Con cornice 47 x 55 x 7,5 cm. Collezione privata © Osvaldo Licini, by SIAE 2018

Osvaldo Licini: Let Sheer Folly Sweep Me Away is curated by Luca Massimo Barbero.

Images courtesy Peggy Guggenheim Collection.