Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is still under copyright. Emilio Pettoruti died in 1971; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2041. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
Two figures — Emilio Pettoruti
Shaded: the lifetime of Emilio Pettoruti (1892–1971)
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/emilio-pettoruti-two-figures-8LHTFN-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Bronze #d65f1c
Catalogued palette
Artist and museum
Born in La Plata, Argentina
Born: La Plata, Argentina (October 1, 1892)
Died: Paris, France (October 16, 1971)
Emilio Pettoruti was a pivotal figure in the development of modern art in Argentina. His career, marked by innovation and controversy, significantly shaped the artistic landscape of his country during the 20th century. He is remembered for his unique blend of European avant-garde influences—Cubism, Futurism, Constructivism, and Abstraction—adapted to a distinctly Latin American sensibility.
Family Background: Born into a prosperous Italian immigrant family in La Plata, Pettoruti's early environment fostered an appreciation for modern design and urban aesthetics. The geometric layout of the city deeply influenced his artistic vision.
Formal Education: At fourteen, he enrolled at the local Academy of Fine Arts but quickly left, believing self-directed study would be more beneficial.
Mentorship with Emilio Coutaret: He studied caricature portraits under architect and drawing instructor Emilio Coutaret at the Museum of Natural History's drawing school. A successful caricature of Rodolfo Sarrat secured him a travel scholarship to Italy in 1913.
Italian Renaissance Influence: In Florence, Pettoruti immersed himself in the study of Renaissance masters like Fra Angelico, Masaccio, and Giotto. He was profoundly impacted by fourteenth-century art, particularly its emphasis on geometric proportion and equilibrium, which became foundational elements in his own style.
Futurism: While in Italy, Pettoruti engaged with the burgeoning Futurist movement, absorbing its dynamism and focus on speed and technology. He read Lacerba, a Florentine futurist magazine.
Cubism: In Paris, he encountered Juan Gris, who significantly influenced his adoption of Cubist principles—fragmentation, multiple perspectives, and geometric abstraction.
Der Sturm Gallery: Exhibiting at Herwarth Walden's Der Sturm gallery in Berlin exposed him to a wider range of European avant-garde art.
Friendship with Jose Carlos Mariategui: A long-standing friendship developed with the Peruvian writer Jose Carlos Mariategui, further enriching his intellectual and artistic perspectives.
Introduction of Modernism: Pettoruti returned to Buenos Aires in 1924, aiming to introduce European modernism to a largely conservative Argentine art scene.
The 1924 Exhibition Controversy: His first exhibition sparked considerable controversy and scandal due to its radical departure from traditional Argentine artistic themes—landscapes, gauchos, cattle, etc. The Buenos Aires public was not yet ready for such an avant-garde display.
Xul Solar's Assessment: Despite the initial resistance, fellow artist Xul Solar recognized Pettoruti’s significance, stating that his work served as a “great stimulating force and a point of departure for our own future artistic evolution.”
Focus on Urban Themes: His compositions frequently featured vertical city streets, reflecting his fascination with urban landscapes and modern architecture.
Museum Directorship: From 1930 to 1947, he served as director of the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes in La Plata.
International Recognition: His work gained international acclaim, with a major exhibition in San Francisco in 1942 leading to increased demand for his art worldwide.
Return to Europe: Facing political pressures and conservative artistic trends in Argentina, he returned to Europe in 1952.
Autobiography: He wrote his autobiography, Un pintor ante el espejo (A Painter Before the Mirror), in Paris in 1968.
Lasting Impact: Emilio Pettoruti’s innovative approach to art had a profound and lasting impact on Argentine art, opening doors for other artists and audiences to explore new artistic territories. He is considered one of the most influential artists in Argentina's 20th-century history.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/emilio-pettoruti-two-figures-8LHTFN-en/
Look closely
Two figures — Emilio Pettoruti
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.