Depero Fortunato, Ali Italiane. Trionfo del t... Lot n° 6

Bottom right label with: "Atelier di Varedo - Mobili d'Arte - G.Borsani", (sought-after workshop that made the structure), oil and enamels on panel, W. 160 - H. 120 Cm, Work archived in the "Paintings" section of the general catalog raisonné of the artist's works under number FD-612-DIP on May 20, 2022, Private collection, "Wings of Italy", edited by M.Scudiero and M.Cirulli, Bologna Airport, 2000: ripr. at pp. 140-141;, "Auch wir Maschinen, auch wir mecha- nisiert", edited by I. Bartsch and M.Scudiero, Museum am Ostwall, Dortmund, 2002: ripr. at p. 269;, "Oggi si vola", edited by M.Scudiero, M.Cirulli and G.Alegi, Museum of Cinema, Mole Antonelliana, Turin,2003-2004: ripr. at p. 176., , "Wings of Italy," curated by M.Scudiero and M.Cirulli, Bologna Airport, 2000, "Auch wir Maschinen, auch wir mecha- nisiert," curated by I. Bartsch and M.Scudiero, Museum am Ostwall, Dortmund, 2002, "Oggi si vola," curated by M.Scudiero, M.Cirulli and G.Alegi, Museo del Cinema,Mole Antonelliana, Turin, 2003-2004, , In June 1935, the General Management of the Italian Railways announced a competition for a large polychrome decoration (10.52 x 6.60 m) to be built in the new railway station building in Reggio Emilia designed by architect. Angiolo Mazzoni. Depero submitted a large tempera sketch measuring 228 x 141 cm, divided into four overlapping bands, with figures celebrating (from above) the Italian Air Force, Trent and Trieste in the First World War and the African campaign, some views of Reggio Emilia, and finally the flags of Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Ferrara. In the end the work was not assigned. So Depero thought of making this 'separè' which should have been the first of many, and took up the first two bands from above, however adding to the second a view of Reggio Emilia. The inscription 'Italian Wings' and that of 'Triumph of the Tricolor' then went to complete the justification of the composition. But with a small 'invention' due perhaps to the need for didactic 'symmetry'. Yes, because the view with medieval towers of Reggio Emilia, to match the caterpillar under the palm tree, became, too, an 'African' view. But, nonetheless, a rare and valuable achievement of plastic painting by Depero., , From Maurizio Scudiero's text for archiving the work