Cesare Laurenti Biography
Cesare Laurenti (Mesola, 6 November 1854 – Venice, 8 November 1936) was an Italian painter. Trained in Padua, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence and in 1878 he moved to Naples where he met Domenico Morelli. He then returned to Padua and shortly afterwards settled in Venice, where he worked following the fashion of the time, influenced by Giacomo Favretto. He then moves on to mythological and literary subjects. After winning the prestigious Principe Umberto prize at the First Triennial Exhibition of 1891 of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brera with the canvas Le Parche, his style became more metaphorical, until it became decidedly symbolist. This is the period of some of the most representative works, such as Fioritura Nova (preserved at Ca' Pesaro). At the 1907 Biennale a personal room was set up for him. At this point Laurenti tends to recover the classical Venetian tradition, which culminates with the Rialto Pescheria, in collaboration with the architect Domenico Rupolo. However, a monument to Dante Alighieri, which he wanted to raise on Monte Mario in Rome, will not be built: the project, presented as early as 1911, will occupy him until his death.
