Four-paneled folding screen
Fornasetti, Piero (1913-1988)
Item type:decorative artDate of creation:ca. 1958Height:205.7 cm (81 in.)Width:196.9 cm (77 1/2 in.)Depth:3.2 cm (1 1/4 in.)Technique / Medium:laminated wood, pigmentsPlace of creation:ItaliaDescription
From Minneapolis Institute of Art web site: Piero Fornasetti had many artistic interests: graphic design, decorative arts, historical prints, Italian art and architecture, Surrealism. And they all inspired his unique approach to decoration. The folding screen was one of his favorite formats, and here he has covered the screen’s surface with four layers of historical objects, including musical instruments, guns, whips, hats, keys, canes, and boots. Fornasetti drew from memory, and it’s clear that he absorbed historical details. Every major technological development in guns, for example, is reflected here, from wheel lock to flint lock to percussion in the second register, and finally to a modern revolver in the bottom row.
Iconclass
41D2631umbrella
41D23321boots
45C16firearms
41D263walking-stick, staff, cane
41A775wooden container: barrel, cask, bucket
41B3lighting; lamps
41D221(HAT)head gear: hat
41A3281key
Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)
Lute [3394]
Guitar [3237]
Sistrum [3042]
Bagpipe [3746]
Cithrinchen [4925]
Mandolin [3510]
RIdIM images

Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. Please contact us for more information.
Image URLs
image link 1RIdIM record id
6324