Mario Tozzi

Mario Tozzi was an Italian painter who pursued his artistic vocation by enrolling in the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna, leaving his chemistry studies behind in 1913. During his time in Bologna, he met Giorgio Morandi and Osvaldo Licini.

After graduating from Accademia in 1915, Tozzi enlisted in the First World War, where he lost two of his brothers. He was discharged from the army in 1919 and moved to Paris with his French wife.

While in France, Tozzi discovered Metaphysical painting, which he integrated into his style through the use of plasticity, clear arrangement schemes, and references to Italian classical painting.

Tozzi exhibited his work at the Salon des Artistes Indépendantes, the Salon d’Automne, and the Salon des Tuileries, receiving critical acclaim. In 1926, he reconnected with Licini and began to frequent other avant-garde artists living in France.

He participated in the Italian Novecento exhibition at the Palazzo della Permanente in Milan in the same year and founded the Groupe des Sept, also known as Italiens de Paris. Tozzi moved to Rome in 1936 and participated in the Venice Biennale in 1938 and 1942. However, health problems kept him away from painting from 1937 until 1958, during which time he simplified his technique and subjects.

Despite his health issues, Tozzi participated in the Venice Biennale in 1952 and 1954. In his later years, he reintroduced the human figure into his artwork, particularly the female nude. He moved back to France in 1971 to be closer to his family and died in Saint-Jean-du-Gard in 1979.