Giuseppe Armani History

THE HISTORY OF GIUSEPPE ARMANI

Born in 1935 in Calci near Pisa Italy, Giuseppe Armani was born in Calci, near Pisa, in 1935 and has today achieved international fame and recognition.

Young Giuseppe, like many children, loved to draw. From the moment Giuseppe could pick up a pencil, he drew. Unlike most children, however, drawing was practically his only focus. Every day Giuseppe sketched his discoveries of life. He drew all day long. His home was filled with these drawings, imaginary places, country scenes, real friends, imaginary playmates all the subjects that delight young boys. Nearly everyone was impressed with the young artist's work. It was colorful and fresh. It wasn't long before his parents and teachers saw he had a gift. Giuseppe's unbridled talent fascinated his father. His teachers, also observing his obvious skill, encouraged him in his attempts.

Armani's father realized that his son's talent was greater than just a mere ability to reproduce subjects and fully perceiving his artistic sensitivity, it was decided that he would attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, so that he might develop his natural talent. So it was that young Armani was enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence when his father unexpectedly died. Because the family now needed Giuseppe, art school was forgotten. Art, however, was not.

When Giuseppe Armani’s Parish Priest organized an exhibition for the young artists he knew, he entered Giuseppe's sculpture of a classically inspired male torso. The work was greatly admired for its extraordinary anatomical precision. When the torso was taken to the Art Gallery in Pisa - Giuseppe Armani's talent was rewarded with the offer of a permanent job in an art gallery adjacent to Pisa's famous Leaning Tower.

It was there in Pisa that Armani's dream of studying art was finally realized. While in Pisa he often traveled to Siena and Florence where he immersed himself in the great artistic masterpieces of the Renaissance. His distinction was and remains in his ability to infuse life, character and soul into his sculpture. Giuseppe experimented in wood, clay, alabaster and marble. His reputation grew with each breathtaking creation.

Soon art enthusiasts from around the world started to flock to the art gallery just to see Giuseppe Armani's latest creations. In 1975, Florence Sculpture d'Arte, recognizing Armani's genius, offered him the opportunity to work exclusively for them. He was encouraged to give free rein to his artistic muse. Master Sculptor Giuseppe Armani guided a selected team of talented sculptors including David Thomas Lyttleton, Fabrizio Tani and Paolo Leoncini. Under Maestro Armani's guidance and support their talents have merged with his.

For more than 25 years Guiseppe Armani has created masterpieces ranging from the traditional Capodimonte style to the more daring, contemporary and whimsical sculptures. Always and remarkably, Giuseppe Armani's figurines have the spark of life, and his breathtaking realism continues to amaze his many admirers the world over.

Giuseppe Armani described his credo this way: "Although I consider myself a direct descendant of the Renaissance heritage, I believe that an artist has to follow his own evolution and not be solely a remnant of the past, as glorious as the past may have been. I am continually compelled to discover new and better means of expression."

Sadly Giuseppe Armani passed away suddenly on Saturday, the 28th of October 2006, the consequence of a massive stroke. With the lost of Guiseppe Armani, the world lost a great Master and friend, who with his simple attitude has filled many lives with enthusiasm and has transferred to all of us his immense love for art and sculpture.

Giuseppe Armani continues to live on through his art, and all the collectors and art lovers all over the world, share a part of his wonderful personality by enjoying the timeless works of art he created for them.