Two innovative artistic experiences, destined to leave an incisive mark on Italian culture, began at almost the same time and in the same surroundings of the Villa Reale in Monza.
The Istituto Superiore Industrie Artistiche (ISIA) was born in 1927 from the transformation of the Università delle Arti Decorative, established in 1922 with the aim of combining artistic talent and craftsmanship. Active until 1943, when wartime brought an end to the school’s experience, the institute saw famous teachers take turns in its classrooms, including Martini, Marini, De Grada, Semeghini, Mazzuccotelli and others who contributed to the training, in various fields of artistic application, of personalities of considerable interest.
If the ISIA fulfilled the training intent, the need to qualify and internationalise Italian artistic production, often still characterised by a strong regional imprint, was entrusted to the Biennali, international exhibitions of decorative arts. Three editions were held at Villa Reale, in 1923, 1925 and 1927. In 1930, the event became the Triennale: the first one was organised in Monza, then moved permanently to Milan.
Only a few pieces attest to the repertoire of the Monza Biennial and Triennial inherited by the Musei Civici; better represented instead are the works coming from the ISIA, of which a brief review of works by the best-known masters is proposed.
01:Raffaele De Grada, Via dei Mulini in Monza. Oil on panel, 1934.
02: Marino Marini, Saint George and the Dragon. Marble, 1930-31
03: Italo Griselli, Whippet. White porcelain, 1930
04: Costantino Nivola, Canal in the Park. Oil on plywood, 1935
05: Arturo Martini, Leda with Swan. Plaster, 1925-26