Profile: Alberto Zanverdiani.
(Trieste 1894 - Venezia 1977)
The artist started his training in a central European city, a crossroads of trade and peoples,
at the peak of its cultural experience.
At the time of his apprenticeship in his father's restoration and wood carving workshop, Trieste
was an ideal ground to cultivate a wide range of acquaintances, which he integrated, at only 14
years of age, with a journey throughout Italy alone.
The biographies of Trieste artists, at that time, show a prevailing attention towards Vienna and
Munich as well as the Venice Biennial exhibition. However the life of the city was pervaded with
other ferment, such as the beginning of the socialist movement, Irredentism and the Freemasons, all
of which helped old and new associations emerge, such as "Società Ginnastica Triestina" (Gymnastics
Society of Trieste), "Lega Nazionale" (National League) and the "Circolo Artistico" (Circle of
Artists), centre of cultural life.
In fact the existential course of Alberto Zanverdiani was influenced of all this: he studied at
Vienna, was imprisoned because he didn't want to fight against Italy, had a great passion for sport
and walks through the woods, gave didactic assistance to youths at "ricreatori" (recreation centres),
following in his father's footsteps.
To gain his academic qualification, he did not choose Venice but the favourite Bologna, which
besides was open to new graphic art forms.
Working in the heart of Trieste became emblematic for him, first a studio in the famous building
called Rotonda dei Pancera, then in via san Michele, at San Giusto. He fell in love with a student,
with whom shared an interest for occult sciences, and married her in 1922. This union reinforced
his links with the world of the bourgeoisie, adding a strong cultural inclination as well as a
professional one, as can be partially seen by the production of bookplates.
His fervid interest in works of art, soon became research throughout the exhibitions, antique
markets and auctions where he accumulated such experience that he was asked for his expert opinion
regarding artefacts and paintings. His understanding of different decorative forms inevitably
deepened, parallel to this his love for antique and modern books: incunabula, Latin, French and
Italian editions and in German, his second language; art publications on graphics, furnishings and
architecture.
Another of his passions was for the classics and purity of language - Boccaccio, Dante and Petrarca
inspired the names for his daughters (Laura, Fiamma, Beatrice) - German literature, epics and
Northern tales and popular legends where he found genuine and sincere identity based on their
historic profile.
He had a natural curiosity towards nature and love for animals, in particular felines, and studied
minerals, rare or medicinal herbs, mushrooms and wood types. Altogether forming an incredible
cultural heritage which culminated in the teaching profession.
A caustic spirit, in life as in artistic expression, he did not disdain caricature; his approach
to creative activities was strongly influenced by a great artist, Albrecht Dürer. To live in
the world of art, in personal and epistolary contact with painters, artists, editors, collectors
created in him an alternative ideal microcosm, which unfortunately found a dramatic counter
balance in the tragic period of war in the 40's.
Dario Zanverdiani
© 2002
http://digilander.libero.it/dariozanverdiani
(you'll find
here other material)
