Francesco Buonapace Bronze Deer circa 1930

Francesco Buonapace Brown Deer approx. 1930s. In good condition, signed near the left rear paw of the animal. Francesco Buonapace (Lecce 1902 - Bologna 1975) attended the Royal Art School in the capital of Salento, where he was a student of Tuscan sculptor Almo Mercanti. Later, he moved first to Milan, then to Florence, where he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts under Domenico Trentacoste.

He completed his artistic studies in Monza, a city he moved to in 1923 after winning an important scholarship. The artist, strongly influenced by the style and form of Greek and Roman statues, was appreciated by representatives of the Fascist party and received important commissions during Mussolini's regime. 

A moderate influence from various schools of the first half of the 20th century results in original works in bronze, terracotta, plaster, and marble, mainly busts and portraits of famous personalities. Numerous reliefs and animal figurines.

His drawings are also very interesting.

Buonapace participated in major Italian exhibitions: from the Venice Biennale in Lecce to those in Milan and Tuscany, earning notable awards.

Among his numerous works, a noteworthy piece is part of the decoration of the Palazzo degli Uffici Finanziari in Bari, the impressive and elegant statue of “The Fisherman”.

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