Gianfranco Zappettini

born in 1939 in Genoa (Italy)

"Only through an analytic investigation that deals with the problem of painting as painting, i.e. the material, the way of handling it, we reconstruct the new language." GZ

In Gianfranco Zappettini’s works orthogonal or diagonal weaves and lines are concealed through an investigation in which experimentation takes place on the edge of perception. His surfaces remain enclosed in the canvas borders, growing in the analitical seduction of a static movement between classical and innovation, in a visual and tactile noise.

Gianfranco Zappettini was born in Genoa in 1939. In 1962, he held his first solo exhibition in his hometown. Through Wachsmann, Zappettini learned formal precision, the importance of tradition and also attention to innovation. His first works (1964-1969) reflect the attempt to give order to the surface while leaving space for the artist to manoeuvre, without allowing preconceived programming to reign over his work. Zappettini lives and works in Chiavari, where in 2003 he established the Fondazione Zappettini for contemporary art.

Exhibitions (selected)

2022

The golden age, Galleria Mazzoleni, Torino, IT

2019

Gianfranco Zappettini, I colori della Grande Opera, Primo Marella Gallery, Lugano, CH

Gianfranco Zappettini, Solo Exhibition, Standing Pine, Nagoya, JP

2018

Paolo Cotani, Elio Marchegiani, Marco Mazzucconi, Gianfranco Zappettini, Primo Marella Gallery, Lugano, CH

Processo e metodo della Pittura Analitica,Palazzo Reale, Genova

2017
Gianfranco Zappettini, La Luce Prima, Primo Marella Gallery

2016

Gianfranco Zappettini, Galleria Mazzoleni, Turin, IT

White Surfaces, Primae Noctis Art Gallery, Lugano, CH

2015
Pittura Analitica Ieri e Oggi, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, IT

2014
Galleria Ravizza, Lugano, CH

2013

Erben – Viallat – Zappettini: tre maestri della pittura analitica europea, MAAB Gallery, Milan, IT

2012
Lucca Center of Contemporary Art, Lucca, IT

2011
Analytische Malerei, Forum Kunst Rottweil, DE

2009
Pensare pittura, Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Villa Croce, Genoa, IT

2008
Pittura aniconica, Casa del Mantegna Mantoa, IT
Analytica, Annotazioni d’Arte, Milan, IT

2007
CAMeC-Centro d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, La Spezia, IT
Forum Kunst, Rottweil, DE
Pittura analitica. I percorsi italiani. 1970-1980”, Museo della Permanente, Milano, IT

1997

Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Villa Croce, Genoa, IT

1978

Abstraction Analytique, Museo d’Arte Moderna, Paris, FR

1977

Documenta 6, Kassel, DE
Internationaal Cultureel Centrum, Anversa, BE

1975
Analytische Malerei, Düsseldorf, DE

Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster, DE

1974

Geplante Malerei, Münster - Milan, IT

1973
Tempi di percezione, Livorno, IT

1971
Arte concreta, Westfälischer Kunstverein di Münster, DE