Giuseppe Santomaso (1907-1990) - Composition

This refined colour lithograph by Giuseppe Santomaso (1907 Venice – 1990 Venice) exemplifies his mature abstract style, characterized by bold geometric forms and a restrained yet expressive use of colour. Executed in 1977, the composition juxtaposes textured blue fields with deep black and light grey forms, creating a dynamic interplay of space and colour—hallmarks of Santomaso’s later work.

Santomaso was a central figure in post-war Italian abstraction and a founding member of the Fronte Nuovo delle Arti, later affiliated with Gruppo degli Otto. Deeply inspired by lyrical abstraction, he developed a unique visual language balancing form, gesture, and atmosphere. His work has affinities with international modernists such as Hans Hartung, Serge Poliakoff, Pierre Soulages, Afro Basaldella, Emilio Vedova, Nicolas de Staël, and Antoni Tàpies, while also resonating with American abstract expressionists like Mark Rothko, Franz Kline, and Ad Reinhardt.

The present work is hand-signed and dated by the artist in pencil in the lower right margin ("Santomaso 77") and numbered 65/150 in the lower left. The sheet is loose (not mounted), on high-quality paper, and preserved in very good condition with only minimal age-related browning at the edges.

Santomaso’s works are held in major international collections, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Venice), Centre Pompidou (Paris), and MoMA (New York).

Specifications:

Artist: Giuseppe Santomaso (1907–1990)
Title: Composition
Year: 1977
Technique: Colour lithograph on paper
Signature: Hand-signed and dated in pencil
Edition: 65/150
Sheet size: 56.5 × 76.5 cm
Image size: 41.2 × 54.7 cm
Condition: Very good overall; minor browning around the paper edges; loose sheet
Provenance: Private collection