Gino Severini

Gino Severini (1883–1966) was a pivotal figure in early modernism, whose work bridged Futurism, Cubism and later classicism. Born in Cortona, Italy, he trained in Rome before moving to Paris in 1906, where he joined the vibrant avant-garde scene and met artists including Picasso, Modigliani and Braque. Severini brought these Parisian influences into the Italian Futurist movement, becoming one of its founding members and co-authoring the Technical Manifesto of Futurist Painting in 1910.

Unlike other Futurists who focused on industry and war, Severini often depicted dance halls, cafés and city life. Works like Dynamic Hieroglyph of the Bal Tabarin (1912) captured the energy of the modern world through fragmented forms, rhythmic movement and vibrant colour, combining elements of Divisionism and Cubism.

During the First World War, he painted military subjects, most famously Armoured Train in Action (1915), using sharp geometry and movement to express mechanised violence. In the 1920s, Severini turned towards classical harmony and spiritual themes, reflecting a broader post-war shift. His later work included frescoes, mosaics and religious commissions.

Severini was also a theorist, advocating for structure and balance in modern art. His work is held in major institutions such as MoMA, the Centre Pompidou and Tate. A key figure in the evolution of European modernism, Severini’s career reflects the changing artistic priorities of the 20th century.