Mantova, 1912 – Rome, 1995

Giulio Turcato was born in Mantua in 1912. After completing his studies in Venice, he moved to Milan in 1937 where he exhibited for the first time in a group show at the Galleria Grande. In 1942 he settled in Rome. After the war, he stayed in Paris before returning to Rome in 1946 where he joined the Nuova Secessione Artistica Italiana, later Fronte Nuovo delle Arti, a group with which he participated in the 1948 Venice Biennale. In 1947 he also signed the manifesto of ‘Forma 1’.

In 1950 he joined the Gruppo degli Otto with Afro, Birolli, Corpora, Moreni, Morlotti and Vedova. From the 1950s onwards, he took part in numerous exhibitions and shows, including the one-man show in 1953 at Galleria La Tartaruga in Rome, the group show ‘Painting in Post War Italy’ organised by Lionello Venturi in 1957 at Columbia University in New York and ‘documenta 11’ in Kassel in 1959.

In addition to painting, Turcato also devoted himself to teaching, working at the Art School in Rome from 1953 to 1982. His abstractionism found a personal and authentic direction, with the use of sand and other materials that amplified the chromatic effect of his canvases.

In 1961 he joined the ‘Continuità’ group and exhibited with Novelli, Perilli, Dorazio, Consagra, Bemporad and Arnaldo Pomodoro. A versatile artist due to his interest in the biological sciences and social commitment, he continued his research into colours and innovative use of materials during the following decades.

Giulio Turcato died in Rome in 1995.

© GIULIO TURCATO, by SIAE 2025