Bruno Cassinari (Piacenza, 1912 – Milan, 1992) was an Italian painter and one of the leading figures of Expressionist figuration in the second half of the 20th century. Associated with the Corrente movement, he developed a style characterized by solid forms, intense colors, and particular attention to the human figure. His output includes portraits, female figures, still lifes, landscapes, seascapes, and horses. After studying at the Brera Academy, Cassinari actively contributed to the renewal of postwar Italian painting. His engagement with Picasso and European artistic research helped shape a style in which plastic structure coexists with great chromatic freedom. Alongside paintings, he created drawings and artworks in graphic media.
Training in Piacenza
Bruno Cassinari was born in Piacenza on October 29, 1912. During the 1920s, he attended the Gazzola Institute, where he received his initial artistic training. Drawing and the study of the figure became essential elements. L'artist showed an early interest in modern painting. He later continued his training in Milan.
Milan and the Brera Academy
After moving to Milan, Cassinari attended the Umanitaria school and art classes at the Sforza Castle. In 1934, he enrolled at the Brera Academy. He studied under Aldo Carpi, graduating in 1938. L'Milan's artistic milieu offered opportunities to engage with artists and intellectuals committed to renewing figurative culture.
The Corrente group
Cassinari came into contact with the circle around Corrente, a cultural and artistic movement that brought together young painters opposed to the conformism of official culture. The group attached particular importance to freedom of expression and engagement with European painting. Artists associated with this movement included Renato Guttuso, Ernesto Treccani, and Ennio Morlotti. Cassinari developed an approach in which the human figure became the focus of emotional reflection.
His first solo exhibition
In 1941, Cassinari held his first solo exhibition, introduced by Elio Vittorini. That same year, he received recognition at the Bergamo Prize. The event was an important forum for artists seeking approaches different from those supported by official culture. In 1942, Cassinari confirmed his place among the leading figures of the new figurative movement.
Painting in the 1940s
During the 1940s, Cassinari developed a style of painting characterized by a strong focus on the structure of forms. The figure is built through solid volumes. Color takes on an expressive role. The composition retains recognizable references but does not seek a naturalistic reproduction. L'artist is interested above all in the possibility of expressing the physical and psychological presence of his subjects.
His relationship with Picasso
The comparison with Pablo Picasso is an important point of reference. Cassinari looks to the Spanish master's ability to transform the figure through simplification and distortion. The Cubist approach contributes to the sculptural construction of his compositions. L'artist does not, however, give up color. Intense hues become a fundamental part of his identity.
The female figures
Female figures occupy a central place in Cassinari's work. Bodies are represented through broad volumes and simplified forms. The figure retains a monumental presence. Color helps construct the structure. The depiction does not seek minute detail. It prioritizes the expressive force of the whole.
The portraits
Cassinari created numerous portraits. L'interest focuses on the subject's presence and psychological dimension. Forms may be distorted or synthesized. Color helps convey emotional intensity. The portrait thus becomes a space for exploring the tension between observation and interpretation.
Still lifes
Still lifes represent another important theme. Objects, flowers, and fruit are arranged in compositions characterized by intense color relationships. The elements retain a distinctive solidity. The painting focuses on the balance between form and color.
Seascapes and landscapes
Cassinari devoted numerous artworks to the landscape. Seascapes allowed him to develop broad, dynamic color relationships. Nature is interpreted through a free style of painting. Forms can be simplified until they become essential structures. Light helps shape the image.
The horses
Among his most recognizable subjects are horses. L'animal offers an opportunity to explore movement and structure. The figure is built through volumes and energetic lines. Color heightens its expressive force. The depiction is not simply naturalistic. It becomes an exploration of physical presence and the dynamism of form.
Original prints
Cassinari also created lithographs, etchings, and drawings. His graphic artworks often revisit the themes of his paintings. Line allows him to explore the structure of figures in greater depth. Lithography offers possibilities linked to the spontaneity of gesture and the relationship between mark and color. His graphic work represents a significant aspect of his artistic research.
International recognition
After the war, Cassinari took part in numerous exhibitions. His artworks entered major Italian museum collections. His painting received recognition for its ability to unite formal construction and chromatic intensity. His career formed part of the debate on contemporary figuration.
L's artistic legacy
Bruno Cassinari died in Milan in 1992. His body of work is a significant testament to Italian painting in the second half of the 20th century. Through figures, landscapes, still lifes, and horses, he developed a language in which color and sculptural structure are inseparable elements.
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