Giovan Francesco Gonzaga Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Born in Milan in 1921, Giovan Francesco Gonzaga is descended from a cadet branch of the Mantua Gonzaga nobles. A man of exceptional vitality who, speaking of himself, claims with a metaphorical tone: “I am a decadent, a twilight. Read the full biography

Giovan Francesco Gonzaga Biography

Born in Milan in 1921, Giovan Francesco Gonzaga is descended from a cadet branch of the Mantua Gonzaga nobles. A man of exceptional vitality who, speaking of himself, claims with a metaphorical tone: “I am a decadent, a twilight. I don't drive a car: I go horseback riding. I spent my childhood - a golden childhood - among whinnies and smells of the stables... in the villa of Soncino, with my grandparents. My mother worked in fashion, she went to London, Paris and I was already in the saddle at eight years old." At ten years old the future Master made three hundred pen drawings telling the story of the journey of mankind from the Stone Age to the end of the First World War. His mother is not inclined towards his artistic versatility: she wants him to be a lawyer, while the professors guaranteed his artistic destiny. He dreams of Brera and, having not obtained the longed-for consent, at the age of twenty he volunteered with the Savoia Cavalleria, participating, with the "Ghost" squadron, in patrol actions in the steppe. He traveled extensively abroad, particularly in Spain, gaining significant experiences, both on a human and aesthetic level. The soul and form of the Master become sensitive to the poetics that have contributed so much to distinguishing the high level of personal style that increases and spreads the artist's fame throughout the world. Gonzaga attributes an essential, visceral, primary and cultural value to horses. So much so that it is argued that he interprets it sensitively and imbues it with a primordial poetic assumption even before consciousness reflects it. In short, he lives it: he feels it quivering, neighing, pawing, galloping and he paints it with a bold inspired version that communicates the patience and strength, the momentum, the fury suited to the proportions in complete harmony with the potential rhythm of his palette. The source of soul from which the master feeds and transfigures the horse manifestation into poetic tension which also becomes the philosophy of human complacency.