Depero Fortunato, "Women of the Tropics," 1945, oil on panel, Studio 53 Arte, Rovereto Depero Fortunato, "Harlem Mulatto," 1945, charcoal and white lead on cardboard, Studio 53 Arte, Rovereto
Some of the figures remind me of Guy Fawkes's mask and robots, precursors to today.
Rather scary, haunting creatures, lacking human depth.
It may be only the second exhibition of Futurist's Fortunato Depero's works in the United States (the first I found was in Miami in 2024), and what better place to show off an Italian artist than at Washington's Embassy of Italy, the country and place of the movement's birth?
Depero: Graphic Art Between Italy & United States highlights Futurism, Italy’s early 20th-century avant-garde movement which focused on speed, modernity, and bold visual language, says Wikipedia (you know: elements of the future!)
Depero Fortunato, "Citrus," 1928 advertising poster, Archivio Depero, Rovereto. I can almost taste the drink, looking at the poster.
Depero Fortunato, "Bitter Campari, L'Aperitivo," 1928, advertising poster, Archivio Depero, Rovereto. Depero had a longstanding relationship with the Campari Company when he designed Campari Soda bottles. Depero Fortunato, "Caffe' Cirio, 'Domus' Magazine Back Cover," 1936, Archivio Depero, RoveretoAt the opening of the Depero show at the Embassy of Italy, Sept. 9 2026/By Patricia Leslie
Italian Ambassador to the U.S., Marco Peronaci, welcomed visitors to the opening of the exhibition which is up through January 30, 2026:
“Depero was also a bridge between Italy and the United States: this exhibition highlights the deep interweaving that has fueled mutual cross-pollination and cultural dialogue between our two countries in the last century and beyond."
Depero Fortunato, "L'Aperitivo. Bitter Campari," 1927, project for billboard, tempera on cardboard, private collection, RoveretoDepero Fortunato, "Lettrice E Ricamatrice Automatiche (Automatic Reader and Embroiderer)," 1920-22, oil on canvas, private collection, RoveretoDepero Fortunato, "Big Sale (Downtown Market)," 1929-1930, oil on canvas, private collection, RoveretoDepero Fortunato, "Grammofono Gramophone," 1924, advertising project, pencil on paper, Archivio Depero, Rovereto
Marco Peronaci, Italy's ambassador to the United States, welcomed guests to the Embassy of Italy and the opening of Depero: Graphic Art Between Italy & United States Sept. 9, 2025/By Patricia Leslie
The Futurists painted, they sculpted, made ceramics, and created designs for every production realm; they are sometimes linked to art deco, surrealism, constructivism and Dada.
Depero (1892-1960) was one of the founders of the development whose goal was to make the world a more "joyful place," says Wikipedia.
Inspired by a trip to Florence in 1913 and an article about Futurism, Depero moved to Rome in 1914 and, while designing ballet costumes and stage sets, he co-wrote a Futurist manifesto in 1915 ("Futurist Reconstruction of the Universe") with fellow Futurist Giacomo Balla.
Depero founded the House of Futurist Art in his hometown in Rovereto in 1919 which specialized in making toys, tapestries and furniture.
To try out his talents in the U.S., Depero moved to New York City in 1928 where the advent of the Great Depression (1929-1939) presented a hostile reception.
Still, he found work as a costume designer and making covers for Vogue and the New Yorker, helping introduce Futurism to the American public. He also worked for Macy's.
The Italian Cultural Institute at the Embassy of Italy writes on its website that Depero thought New York City was the ultimate Futurist city, and the Chrysler Building shows his influence.
He returned home in 1930.
Futurism's links to fascism during World War II shunted its growth among the public.
His move back to New York City in 1947 found an even cooler reception for him than his first visit and he went back home again where he lived long enough to see one of his longtime dreams come true, the opening of his museum in Rovereto, the year before he died.
The museum is still open today.
The Depero exhibition may be visited at the Embassy by registering for guided tours organized by the Italian Cultural Institute of Washington. (See below.)
What: Depero: Graphic Art Between Italy & United States
When: Now through Jan. 30, 2026
Where: Embassy of Italy, 3000 Whitehaven Road, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
How much: No charge. Tours of the exhibition are available by registering with the Italian Cultural Institute here, but hurry and sign up since few days and times remain for the show!
For more information: ph. 202-612-4400, email: washington.ambasciata@ester.it
A link to the full catalog in digital non-reproducible format may be found here.
The Cultural Affairs Office
Embassy of Italy in Washington D.C. |
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