Marcello Piacentini Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Marcello Piacentini, born in Rome in 1881, was an architect, son of Pio Piacentini. He is considered the main representative of Italian architecture in the period between 1910 and 1940, becoming the greatest ideologist of monumentalism during the twenty years of fascism. Read the full biography

Marcello Piacentini, born in Rome in 1881, was an architect, son of Pio Piacentini. He is considered the main representative of Italian architecture in the period between 1910 and 1940, becoming the greatest ideologist of monumentalism during the twenty years of fascism. After the war he attracted strong controversy due to his involvement with the regime. He began his career under the guidance of his father Pio, designing some temporary buildings for the 1911 Universal Exhibition, including the Forum of the Regions and the Palace of Festivals, adopting the style of the Viennese Secession. Piacentini did not limit himself to designing individual buildings, but also contributed to the drafting of numerous master plans both in Italy and abroad. In Rome he drew up numerous projects for the redevelopment of entire neighborhoods, such as that for the Renaissance Quarter (1916-1918) and for the "Great Rome" (1925). He participated in the drafting of the 1931 Master Plan, was coordinator of the works for the University City from 1932 to 1935 and oversaw the projects for the 1942 Expo, later known as the EUR district between 1937 and 1942. Subsequently he was a member of the Commission responsible for preparing the capital's master plan in 1958. Marcello Piacentini died in Rome in 1960.