Dante Baldelli Biography
Grandson of Settimio Rometti and cousin of Aspromonte Rometti, founders of the "Rometti" factory in Umbertide, Dante Baldelli, son of Stamura Rometti, was born in Città di Castello in 1904. He began his artistic studies in Perugia, later moving to Rome where he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, student of the sculptors Luppi and Canonica. From 1928 he took on the role of artistic director of the family ceramic factory, a position he shared, after a few months, with Corrado Cagli, whom he met in Rome during his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts. In 1930 he exhibited at the Fine Arts of Perugia, a dish entitled "Autobiography". In 1931 he exhibited sculptures and majolica in an exhibition promoted by the GUF of Perugia and in September of the same year he presented a plaster sculpture entitled "Head of Marianella" at the exhibition of the Artists' Union of Umbria. Also in 1931, one of his black graffito plates depicting archers was present at the V Triennale in Milan. In 1932 he held a solo show in Città di Castello where, together with paintings, sculptures and drawings, he exhibited 29 majolica, including plates and vases. In 1934 he created a poster for the XIX Venice Biennale and another for the World Football Championships. Dante Baldelli collaborated with the "Rometti" factory until 1942, when, due to the war, the factory was forced to close. After the war he worked in his own ceramic laboratory, called "Baldelli Ceramiche" based in Piazza Gioberti 1 in Città di Castello, in the province of Perugia, assisted by his son Massimo. Dante Baldelli died in Città di Castello in 1953.
