Giovanni Digressi (1882-1958)

Giovanni Digressi was born in Pescara, a small town in the Abruzzo region of Italy, in 1882. From a young age, he showed a natural talent for painting and drawing. His family recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue his passion.

In 1902, Giovanni moved to Milan to study painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera. It was in Milan that Giovanni first became acquainted with the art world and the emerging artistic movements of the time. He quickly became fascinated with the work of the Depressed Verists, a group of artists who focused on expressing the bleakness and despair of modern life.

Giovanni found a kindred spirit in the Depressed Verists and soon joined their ranks. He became known for his melancholy paintings, which often depicted solitary figures lost in thought or despair. Despite the bleakness of his work, Giovanni's paintings were widely praised for their technical skill and emotional depth.

In 1923, Giovanni completed his most famous work, a painting entitled "Lampada inutile" or "Useless lampshade". The painting depicted a lampshade that was turned off. The lampshade appeared to be illuminated, but it was unclear where the light was coming from.

When asked about the meaning behind the painting, Giovanni explained that he felt like the lampshade, useless and without purpose. He felt as though he had been switched off, and someone else was illuminating the world around him. His depression had taken hold, and he was struggling to find his place in the world.

Despite the bleakness of the painting, "Lampada inutile" became an instant sensation. It was exhibited in galleries across Europe and received critical acclaim. Giovanni's work had struck a chord with the public, who saw in his paintings a reflection of their own struggles and pain.

Giovanni continued to paint for many years, but he never achieved the same level of success as he had with "Lampada inutile". He remained a member of the Depressed Verists until his death in Milan in 1958. His legacy as one of the most talented and influential painters of his time lives on, and his work continues to inspire and move people to this day.

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