OLIVIERO LEONARDI
- ARTISTIC HUB MAGAZINE
- Aug 31, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 21
An Artist Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Steel
We are pleased to introduce Oliviero Leonardi, an Italian painter and sculptor whose work brings steel and colour into remarkable harmony. A true innovator, he linked traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary artistic vision, creating pieces that push the boundaries of material and tone while reflecting deeply on the cosmos and the human experience. Through his distinctive vitreous enamel technique, Leonardi brought art and science into conversation and secured his place among the most significant artists of his time. His creations continue to resonate and inspire new generations.
Oliviero Leonardi, an Italian painter and sculptor born in 1921 and active until 2019, was a pioneer in the use of vitreous enamel on steel plates, a technique that helped define his reputation as one of the most remarkable artists of his generation. He was born in the village of Vezzano in the Trentino region and grew up in an environment shaped by art, a setting that guided his creative path from an early age. His work reflects a deep connection with philosophy, particularly Eastern thought, and draws from the aesthetics of the samurai and the beauty of ancient languages, which he explored during his years on the island of Capri. His artistic foundations were rooted in a family of ceramicists, where he learned the techniques and processes in his father’s studio that later inspired his innovative approach to materials such as steel and enamel.
Leonardi often found inspiration in cosmological ideas and in the rhythms of the natural world, both of which shaped his vision and influenced his creations.
A SPACE WARRIOR, Vitreous enamel painting on steel plate, 100 x 70 cm, © Oliviero Leonardii
THE FAREWELL OF ACHILLES AND BRISEIS, Vitreous enamel painting on steel plate, 100 x 70 cm, © Oliviero Leonardi
RED TOUAREG, Vitreous enamel painting on steel plate, 100 x 70 cm, © Oliviero Leonardi
Creative and Innovative Journeys
Leonardi grew up in a family of master ceramicists and glassmakers in the Trentino region, surrounded by art from an early age. After serving as a paratrooper in the Second World War, he moved to the island of Capri, where he spent six years immersed in philosophy and artistic study. During this period, he deepened his understanding of Eastern philosophy, samurai aesthetics and ancient languages. He also experimented with a wide range of materials, including clay, ceramics, steel, metal, wool, plastic and glass.
His artistic path later led him to Florence, Venice, Palermo, Rovereto and Ravenna, where he refined his sense of form and composition. Close friendships with artists such as Fortunato Depero expanded his perspective and encouraged him to continue exploring new directions. Leonardi was among the first to fire ceramic paintings onto steel plates at high temperatures, creating works known for their vivid colours and tactile textures.
His use of vitreous enamel was remarkably innovative for its time. He combined silicates with oxides to achieve depth and brilliance and developed a technique that demanded both precision and patience. Working with enamel on steel proved both challenging and rewarding and allowed him to create artworks that could endure and retain their radiance across generations.
International Recognition
Throughout the nineteen seventies and nineteen eighties, Leonardi’s groundbreaking techniques brought him significant international recognition. His exhibitions across Italy, France, Spain, Monaco, Germany and Luxembourg drew the attention of leading critics and devoted art enthusiasts. In nineteen seventy five, his works were presented at the Contemporary Art Exhibition in Fiuggi, Italy, alongside pieces by Giorgio de Chirico, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró.
Working in his studio on Via Aurelia Antica two hundred eighty nine, Leonardi created some of his most celebrated pieces. His nineteen seventy four work Il saluto del Samurai was described as an original expression of cosmic art in the magazine Cimento. His creations were also featured in Voci e Volti a Roma and Journal de Monaco. The Italian newspaper La Romacrea praised his pioneering contribution to developing enamel on steel as a refined artistic language.
Leonardi received numerous distinctions over the course of his career, including the Campidoglio Award in nineteen sixty eight and the FAO Congress Award in nineteen sixty seven for his contribution to the global effort against hunger. His collaboration with the municipality of Rome resulted in several notable projects, among them a temporary installation in the Rome subway and commissions for Pan American Airlines in New York, Pan Air do Brasil in Rio de Janeiro and United Arab Airlines in Cairo.
His later works, created during a period of quiet retreat from the public art scene, marked an introspective chapter in which he explored human consciousness and the immensity of the universe through symbolic forms.
Technique and Innovations
Leonardi’s artistic technique stood out for its remarkable originality. He mastered the use of vitreous enamel on steel, uniting long established craftsmanship with a modern artistic vision. The process involved firing steel plates at very high temperatures to create works of lasting strength and radiance. By blending silicates with oxides, he achieved depth and texture that gave each piece vivid presence, allowing the colours and shine to remain intact over time.
Guided by the natural world and the vastness of the cosmos, Leonardi used his art to reflect on the philosophical essence of human existence.
Legacy and the Association Oliviero Leonardi
After many years of public exhibitions, Leonardi gradually stepped back from the art scene and dedicated himself to private creation, a period that mirrored his inner growth and artistic maturity.
His legacy lives on through the Association Oliviero Leonardi, which is committed to preserving and promoting his artistic heritage. The association safeguards an extensive archive of materials, critical writings and monographs that illuminate his life and work. Our editorial team extends sincere gratitude to Mr Suhas and the Association for their generous support and for providing the invaluable materials that made this article possible.
Upcoming Exhibitions (2024-2025)
Oliviero Leonardi will be featured in the following exhibitions:
2024: Osten Biennial, from October 2024 to February 2025, Skopje, North Macedonia.
2025: XV Florence Biennale, from October 18 to 26, 2025, Florence, Italy.
2025: Portrait 2025, from January 29 to February 16, 2025, CICA Museum, Gimpo, South Korea.
TUAREG, Vitreous enamel painting on steel plate, 100 x 70 cm, © Oliviero Leonardi
BIOLOGICAL NEMESIS, Vitreous enamel painting on steel plate, 100 x 70 cm, © Oliviero Leonardi
EOLO, Vitreous enamel painting on steel plate, 40 x 30 cm, © Oliviero Leonardi
Oliviero Leonardi was an artistic visionary whose innovative techniques and mastery of materials shaped an enduring chapter in the history of contemporary art. His work forms a bridge between art and science and shows how creative experimentation can lead to expressions that feel timeless. Through his exploration of cosmological ideas and human existence, Leonardi created art that reflects a deep meditation on life and the universe.
We invite art lovers to discover the remarkable world of Oliviero Leonardi and explore the extensive archive preserved by the Association Oliviero Leonardi. Their dedication to protecting his legacy offers a rare and intimate view into the life, thinking and creative spirit of this extraordinary artist.
*All photographs are copyrighted by the Association Oliviero Leonardi.
