In 1946, Laszlo Tar traveled to Bologna, Italy to study with Giorgio Morandi, at the Academia of Bologna. In these early years master Morandi influenced Laszlo Tar with his remarkable renditions of still-lifes . These strong interpretations are reflected in Laszlo Tar's huge collection of watercolor and oil still-lifes. A large selection of his works are on continual display at his publisher website, accessible when you click here.

Giorgio Morandi

Italian (1890 - 1964)

Giorgio Morandi was born on 20th July, 1890 in Bologna, where he attended the "Accademia di Belle Arti", graduating in 1913. There he met Osvaldo Licini, Severo Pozzati, Giacomo Vespignani and Mario Bacchelli, the artist-friends with whom he exhibited in 1914, at the now-legendary exhibition in the Hotel Baglioni in Bologna. This was when Morandi first established contacts with the group of Futurists with whom he was to exhibit his work that same year at the Sprovieri Gallery in Rome. He was not highly committed to Futurism, nor did he become very involved in other Italian movements ("Metafisica", "Valori Plastici", "Strapaese", "Novecento") of the first half of the twentieth century. He studied the great masters from Giotto to Piero della Francesca and on to Chardin, Corot and Cézanne.

Morandi...

His works were included in some of the "Biennale" exhibitions in Venice, and in the Roman "Quadriennale" exhibitions. He exhibited too in various cities in Italy and abroad (Pittsburgh, Kassel, San Paolo in Brazil, New York). From 1930, he taught Engraving at the "Accademia di Belle Arti" in Bologna and it was during these years that he carried out most of his etchings. It was only in later life that he devoted his time consistently to watercolour after some rare and sporadic attempts during the first decade of the century and in the thirties.

He won numerous prizes and official awards both in Italy and abroad. In March 1932, a whole issue of "L'ltaliano" was dedicated to Morandi and his work with an important text by Soffici and a large number of reproductions. This put the final seal on his fame which was confirmed and recognized by the critics in the years to follow. This image has never since been questioned. Morandi died in Bologna in 1964. The important anthological exhibitions and numerous initiatives organized in Italy and abroad by the Morandi Archives, now Museo Morandi, belonging to the Town Council of Bologna, have all contributed towards promoting a greater understanding of the artist and his personality. Morandi is now unanimously acclaimed as one of the twentieth century masters.