Giorgio Rossi (1892–1963), Asymmetrical Male Head In Terracotta, 1930s, H. 34 Cm

Giorgio Rossi (1892–1963), Asymmetrical Male Head in Terracotta, 1930s, H. 34 cm

Terracotta, unique piece

Height: 34 cm

This sculptural bas-relief, conceived almost as a mask, represents a male face seen in profile and intentionally asymmetrical. The features are built through simplified planes and sharp cuts, reflecting a distinctly modern language typical of Italian sculpture between the two World Wars.

Naturalism is still present, but transformed into a more essential form, where distortion becomes a sculptural research rather than caricature. The result is an image suspended between portrait and archetype, with a slightly metaphysical tone.

The work can be dated to the years of Giorgio Rossi’s participation in the Venice Biennale (1930 and 1936), a period in which he presented stylistically related sculptures, including the famous Testa di uomo grasso.

On the reverse, traces of the original clay modelling are still clearly visible.

The sculpture is published in the catalogue Le voci di dentro. La scultura di Giorgio Rossi, Edizioni Polistampa, Florence, 2010, p. 29, published on the occasion of the artist’s monographic exhibition.

Provenance: private collection, directly from the artist’s family.