Umberto Boccioni, "Charge of the Lancers"
This week we have a truly amazing and dynamic painting. The artist is Umberto Boccioni (1882 - 1916). From just this information you maybe able to guess two correct things: he was Italian and his early death was a result of World War I. But, his life was interesting and he made a huge impact on Art, especially painting and sculpture. I think it fair to consider him an intellectual. He spent his short life traveling and studying. He visited Russia and many of the countries of Europe, gleaning ideas and formulating his theories on art. His principle contribution is called Futurism. Futurism is difficult to explain as it involves the deconstruction of solid mass and showing movement, and it was certainly an outgrowth from the work of Picasso and Braque - cubism. Many years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing an exhibit in Paris which contained many works by Pi...