This is a unique bronze piece, not editioned, by Marchello Mascherini of a seated figure on a stool playing a guitar. One may interpret the figure as singing as his mouth is open. The figure and the guitar blend and become one in areas, creating ambiguity of definition in the piece. The patina is a deep chocolate brown. The base of the sculpture is marble and measures 3.25″ X 3.25″. The original tag is still present on the underside of the base, but has faded and is not completely legible. It is signed “M. Mascherini” on one of the legs of the stool. This is definitely a piece worthy of joining any art collection.
Marchello Mascherini was born in Udine, Italy, in 1906. He moved to Isernia, the central-southern region of Molise, where he first began learning about sculpture in the local workshops of the area. He finished his education at the Regia Scuola d’arte and moved on to the Istituto Industriale “Alessandro Volta” in the spring of 1921 focussing on ornamental sculpture.
His first one-man show took place at Circolo Alessandro Manzoni in Trieste in November 1925. His art was well sought after and he was regularly recognized for his work including: exhibitions organized by the Triestine, Regional and National Sindacato delle Belle Arti, eleven shows at the Venice International Biennale since 1934, showings at the International Competition of small bronze in Padova, as well as many one-man and group exhibitions in Italy and abroad. He has received numerous awards including: the Diploma d’Onore in 1936 at the Italian Art Exhibition in Budapest, the Silver Medal Certificate at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1937 and the Gold Medal for Sculpture at the International Exhibition in Budapest in 1938. In 1939 he was invited to the Universal Exhibition in New York. Throughout the 30s and 1940s he continued show his work abroad and receive countless awards. In his later years he designed sets and costumes for the ballet Cartoni animati by Mario Bugamelli.
