​

Marino Marini (1901–1980) was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, an Italian sculptor, painter and graphic artist, who innovated and revived the art of sculpture in the 20th century and left a significant mark on Italian and world culture. He is particularly known for his series of special equestrian sculptures, which are an unforgettable image of a man riding a horse, his hands outstretched forward, a symbol of movement, power and emotion.
Marini's artistic journey began in his childhood and youth in Florence, where he studied painting and sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts. While he never left painting, in the 1920s he devoted his energies to sculpture, a field in which he found his deepest affinity. His work preserved the classical foundations of Roman and Greek art, but broke new ground in combining modern elements and turning them into an innovative sculptural language. Influences from Etruscan art and Roman mythology are evident in his works, while the inner tension and dynamism of his figures seem inspired by German Gothic sculpture.
The model sculptor and teacher
In his works, Marini focused on depictions of female nudity and the horse and rider - two central motifs that became a clear identification of his work. These descriptions were not just attempts by the artist to represent a body or object, but were a way to examine the vital energy and human emotion in the work of material and form. His monumental sculptures, which greatly influenced the artists of his time, were a symbol of transitions between styles and approaches, and the ability to create a dialogue with the past while renewing and innovating.
international recognition
Marini was not only a central figure in Italy, but also in the international space. His works were shown in prestigious exhibitions around the world, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (1944), the Buchholz Gallery in New York (1950), and the Venice Biennale, where he won the Grand Prize for Sculpture (1952). In addition, retrospectives of his works were presented in important museums such as the Kunsthaus in Zurich (1962) and the Palazzo Venezia in Rome (1966).
The artistic recognition he received led to the establishment of museums and permanent exhibitions of his works, including the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo (1978) and the Museum of Modern Art in Florence, where his works are in the leading art centers around the world.
The meaning and contribution to art
The uniqueness of Marino Marini was his ability to combine the material, the form and the movement in one work, and to convey the deepest feelings and emotions through a metal sculpture or a graphic work. He knew how to create works that "speak" to the viewer, evoke emotion in him, and invite him to take a deeper look at the human body, the animals around it, and the human being as a whole.
Marini's works have a place of honor even today, and they are a source of inspiration for a new generation of artists and observers. The legacy of the Italian artist not only survived time, but also renewed the discourse on modern sculpture around the world, making him a master figure in the field of visual art.
Art lives and breathes with Marino Marini
Although Marini passed away in 1980, his works live on in museums and galleries all over the world. His works remain not only as a testimony to the artist, but also as a living memory of a time when sculpture was not only a description of reality, but also a reflection of a rich and complex inner world.