Oil painting on canvas depicting a still life with flowers, created by Sante Monachesi in the 1970s

Ø cm 73 h cm 83

Sante Monachesi (1910-1991) was an Italian painter and sculptor who was a leading figure of the Futurist movement in the Marche region.

Born in Macerata, Italy, in 1910, Monachesi completed his studies at the Royal Internship School there. In the 1920s he began working as a carver and cabinetmaker, creating pieces based on his own design and those of others for various companies in the province. 

Monachesi also studied under the guidance of the sculptor Giuseppe De Angelis, creating numerous clay copies of works by Michelangelo and Medardo Rosso. In 1927 he read Umberto Boccioni's influential book "Pittura Scultura Futuriste", which had a profound impact on his artistic direction.

Fueled by a fascination with Boccioni's ideas, Monachesi became a leading figure in Futurist art in the Marche region. The Futurists celebrated dynamism, speed and technology, and their works often depicted movement and the disruption of traditional forms.

In 1931 Monachesi went to Rome with his friends Tano Festa and Ennio Morlotti. There he was exposed to the Aeropittura movement, a branch of Futurism focused on the aesthetics of flight. He also frequented the studio of Giacomo Balla, one of the leading Futurist painters.

Monachesi's paintings incorporated elements of both Futurism and his background in sculpture. His use of dynamic compositions and swirling lines reflected the Futurist emphasis on movement, while his figures often retained a sculptural solidity.

In 1932 Monachesi founded the Futurist Movement in the Marche. This group aimed to promote futurism in the region and organized exhibitions and events.

While remaining interested in Futurism, throughout his career he also explored other artistic movements, such as Expressionism. His later works often incorporated more abstract elements and a wider range of colors.

Monachesi died in Rome in 1991. He left behind a significant body of work that helped shape the development of modern art in Italy.