HORSE - FRANCESCO MESSINA

Francesco Messina (Linguaglossa, 1900 - Milan, 1995) established himself on the national and international art scene starting in the 1920s, thanks to his participation in major Italian exhibitions and shows, such as the Venice Art Biennale and the Rome Quadriennale, and to the publication of his works in authoritative magazines such as "Domus" and "Casabella". In 1932 he moved to Milan and, in a short time, became one of the major representatives of Italian art. From 1934, he taught sculpture at the Brera Academy, where he later became director. After World War II, Messina continued his successful career: an influential academic master, he received important public and private commissions. He became familiar to the general public thanks to his appearances in popular magazines such as "Epoca" and on television. During this period, he founded his studio-museum in the deconsecrated church of San Sisto, to which he dedicated a collection of emblematic works and where he worked passionately until his death. Messina's artistic production is characterized by references to classical, ancient, and Renaissance traditions. Classical influences and influences coexist, however, with a modern language, each time developed with an awareness of the art of its time.