Italico Brass (1870-1943) - Primavera

Italico Brass (Gorizia, December 14, 1870 – Venice, August 16, 1943), Primavera, 1925, charcoal on paper (the sole work measures 60x45 cm). The work was photographed without glass. Light waviness of the paper with a reduced effect under glass.

A distinguished Gorizia-born painter, irredentist, he was born on December 14, 1870 to Michele Brass and Maria Happacher, the second of six children. His father, a wine merchant, wanted him to follow in his footsteps, but he had to surrender when he realized his son’s great inclination for painting. He thus allowed him to study in Munich under the direction of the painter Karl Raupp. Subsequently he continued his studies in Paris with Jean-Paul Laurens, thanks to the financial aid of his brother Riccardo Brass.

In that period he met his future wife, Lina Rebecca, whom he married in 1895. Shortly thereafter he returned to Venice and practiced his painting there, while creating, in the Scuola vecchia of Santa Maria della Misericordia, one of the most important art collections of the time (among the most illustrious works were pieces by Tintoretto, Titian, and Veronese), which, despite World War I being in progress, were never looted but were taken to trusted people in order to save them from the German troops.

He attended many international Venice Biennales and exhibitions in various cities of Europe and America. Of notable merit are works such as Portrait of the wife, In the Footsteps of St. Mark, The Missionary’s Tale, The Bridge of the Redeemer, The Bridge on the Lagoon, Sails, and numerous Venice landscapes drawn from nature. He loved Venice deeply, so much so that he could discern with deep sensitivity every intimate aspect of it.

In 1942 he contributed to the realization of the scenes for the film Canal Grande.

He died in Venice on August 16, 1943 and is buried in the San Michele cemetery on the island.

His grandson is the director Tinto Brass.