Umberto Montini (1897-1978) - Edam, Olanda

Umberto Montini (Milan 1897–Busto Arsizio 1978)

Edam. (Netherlands)

Oil on canvas

Signed at the bottom right

Frame dimensions: 40 x 48 cm
Painting: 20 x 30 cm

On the back of the title, the date Christmas 1968 and a dedication to the grandson "To Diego, the grandfather"

Umberto Montini was born in 1897 into a family of impoverished means.
Soon he began working in a lithography laboratory, while in the evenings he attended the Municipal Drawing School and the Brera Academy, with Prof. Lentini.
The call to arms interrupted this first phase of his life. After being discharged, he managed to gain admission in 1920 to the Brera Academy, where in his third year his teacher was Ambrogio Alciati.
He distinguished himself year after year for excellent results and the attainment of prizes, obtaining his diploma in 1924. Immediately afterward, he went for two years to teach drawing in Cannobio (the Rossetti Valentini School of Fine Arts preserves a painting of the lakeside town by Montini from that period), showing notable talents as a teacher: the pupils of his school indeed won a gold medal in a competition at Novara.
In 1926, Montini returned to Milan; in 1928 he made his debut at the XVI Venice Biennale, presenting two paintings (The Moving House and The Two Friends) praised by Carlo Carrà.
In 1929 he was invited to exhibit at the Barcelona International Exhibition. In 1930 he was again admitted to the XVII Venice Biennale; he was admitted to the XVII Biennale with the painting The Nomads' Roof.
In 1935 he was again in Milan and attended the studio of the sculptor Ernesto Bizzaro.
In 1937 he won a silver medal at the Paris World's Fair with the painting Mattino d'estate. In those same years he participated in numerous union exhibitions and in exhibitions of the Permanent Society. He won the Sallustio Fornara Prize. The Municipality of Milan purchased four of his works: Giorno di nebbia, Mattino d'inverno, Darsena, Periferia di Milano.
In 1938 he undertook his first trip to Peru, holding an exhibition in Lima at the Circolo "Entre Nous". On the way back, he visited London, Paris and other European cities.
In 1939 he was invited to join the judging panel for the Treccani and Sallustio Fornara Prizes.
In 1945 he held a solo exhibition at the Galleria Italiana d'Arte in Milan, displaying works created during the war period. Then, from 1946 to 1955 he undertook further trips to England, Scotland, Belgium, and the Netherlands: from all these countries he brought back sketches and impressions. In Italy he stayed at Lago di Comabbio and in Arona and he went to paint in Rome, Venice, Salice Terme, Tuscany, etc.
During the same period, he completed his second trip to Peru, exhibiting at the Municipal Palace in Miraflores, Lima. He painted portraits of several notable figures and also traveled to Ecuador.
In the winter seasons he held exhibitions in various localities (Piacenza, Busto Arsizio, etc.) and, of course, in Milan, especially at the Soc. Patriottica, of which he was a member and where it seemed he found his only foothold.
The painting "Snowfall near Rotterdam" is housed at the Ricci Oddi Modern Art Gallery in Piacenza.

Insured shipment

Authentic piece and in good condition, also ideal for collectors.


The frame shown in the photos is provided at no additional cost so that the artwork can be displayed as soon as it arrives. It is included as a courtesy and is not considered an integral part of the artwork. Therefore any potential damage to the frame that does not affect the artwork itself will not constitute a valid reason to file a complaint or to request the cancellation of the order.