José Pedro Costigliolo
José Pedro Costigliolo | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 6, 1902 Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Died | June 3, 1985 Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Known for | Painting, geometric abstraction |
| Movement | Concrete art, Constructivism, Non-figurative art |
| Spouse | María Freire |
| Awards | Represented Uruguay at the Venice Biennale and São Paulo Art Biennial |
José Pedro Costigliolo (born 6 November 1902 in Montevideo – died 3 June 1985 in Montevideo) was a Uruguayan painter and visual artist, considered a pioneer of geometric abstraction in Latin America. He played a foundational role in the development of non-figurative art in Uruguay alongside his wife, artist María Freire.
Early life and education
Costigliolo was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1902. He began his artistic education at the Círculo de Bellas Artes, where he studied under Domingo Bazzurro. In 1925, he received a scholarship to continue his studies in Italy. There, he became familiar with European avant-garde movements, which would later influence his shift toward geometric abstraction.[1]
Career
Initially trained in the figurative tradition, Costigliolo gradually moved toward abstraction during the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1950s, influenced by Constructivism and European geometric trends, he adopted a purely non-figurative visual language. His work focused on formal elements such as line, shape, and color, and emphasized balance and structure.[2]
In 1952, Costigliolo co-founded the Grupo de Arte No Figurativo in Montevideo with María Freire. The group was one of the earliest collectives dedicated to abstraction in Latin America and sought to promote non-figurative art through exhibitions and publications.[1]
Costigliolo represented Uruguay at several international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale, the São Paulo Art Biennial, and exhibitions in the United States and Europe. His work was well received internationally and featured in significant Latin American abstraction retrospectives.[3]
Artistic style and legacy
Costigliolo’s paintings and works on paper are characterized by bold geometric compositions, a restrained color palette, and precise execution. His commitment to abstraction distinguished him from many of his Uruguayan contemporaries, and he was instrumental in introducing and legitimizing geometric abstraction in the region.[2]
His works are held in major public collections, including the Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales in Montevideo and the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid.[1][4]
Costigliolo passed away in Montevideo in 1985.
References
- ^ a b c "Artista: José Pedro Costigliolo". Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ a b "Biography: José Pedro Costigliolo. Cecilia de Torres Ltd. (Archived)" (PDF). www.ceciliadetorres.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ "Works by José Pedro Costigliolo". Porton de San Pedro. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ "Costigliolo, José Pedro". www.museoreinasofia.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-08.