Zulimo Aretini Biography
Descendant of a family of ceramists, Zulimo Aretini, born in Monte San Savino in the province of Arezzo in 1884, did his apprenticeship at the family kiln in Borgo Fonte, where he learned the secrets of graffito decoration, typical of ceramics Umbrian-Aretine of the sixteenth century and which he interprets in an absolutely modern and original way. He subsequently completed his studies in Florence and Milan, at the Brera Academy. Active at the "Fornaci di San Lorenzo" factory of Galileo Chini in 1909 and subsequently at the "Richard-Ginori" of Sesto Fiorentino and some other factories in Sesto including "Colonnata", "Carraresi" and "SACA". In 1914 he presented some ceramics produced in the family factory, "Federigo Aretini & Figli", at the Castiglion Fiorentino Exhibition. In 1918 he opened a small factory of his own, called "Antica Bottega del Ceramista Aretini Zulimo" and among the collaborators of the factory he also included the young Savino Giotto Giannoni. Since 1920 he has also dedicated himself to teaching ceramic and decorative techniques. In 1925 he opened a workshop in Arezzo and subsequently in Fontevegge, in the province of Perugia where he founded the "Società Anonima Maioliche Zulimo Aretini". During the 1920s he participated in numerous exhibitions (Pesaro, Turin, Livorno and Florence) enjoying success with the public and critics. In recent years, the Grottaglie ceramist Biagio Lista collaborates with the company. Having left the Fontevegge factory, he opened a small ceramic factory in Deruta which, in 1929, became part of the "Consorzio Italiano Maioliche Artistiche" ("CIMA") wanted and directed by Biagio Biagiotti, also collaborating with the "Salamandra". In 1939 Aretini left Deruta and moved to Torgiano where he founded the ceramic factory "Aretini Ceramiche", assisted by his son Galileo and Guido Carnesecchi. In 1945, together with Bruno Papi and Alfredo Arrighetti, he founded the "ARS" factory. In 1950 he founded the "CASA" ceramic factory in Cameri near Novara, then moved to Groppello Cairoli, in the province of Pavia, where he founded the "Aretini Zulimo & Clavio" and subsequently, having moved to Casteggio, in the province of Pavia, he founded "Ceramica Fiorentina". During his career as a ceramist he participated in the Monza Biennials and several editions of the Milan Triennale. In 1961 Zulimo Aretini moved to Rome where he died in 1965.
