Mauro Bergonzoli Bavaria 2016

BERGONZOLI
I N B A V A R I A 2 0 1 6

BERGONZOLI
I N B A V A R I A 2 0 1 6

T
“ hose who knew him, say Armando Testa, the greatest Italian advertising expert of the 20th century,
also acknowledged as the historical era of communication, was “the most artistic amongst
advertisers and the most anomalous amongst artists”. This definition also applies to the art of Mauro
Bergonzoli, eclectic and provocative, a creator of ideas and images. With contemporary media bombarding
our daily lives, the artist brings metaphorical and surreal motifs generated by an ironic and
anti-academic vision of form, figure and composition.
In Bergonzoli’s works, “The Lady with the Ermine” for example, becomes a hymn to our Italian excellence
and our culinary traditions, breaking up objects and cubist-renaissance-esque faces, accompanied
by Pop language as a courageous antithesis between modernity and classicism. Paying homage
to great masters plays a pivotal role in Bergonzoli’s array of work, all the while harmonizing style and
value with educated and humorous references. As a result, a face influenced by the American artist,
Roy Lichtenstein, adds somatic details, turning into a Miró in which the eye holds introspective and
investigative value. At the same time a water lily lake winks at Monet without forgetting how much
the abstraction of the 20th century has completely shocked and turned upside down the naturalism
of the 19th century and the first optical experimentations which followed, converting them into public
icons of our time. In other works, Bergonzoli technically combines painting and handwriting, a kind
of growing mural etching telling stories of exotic scenes with oriental interiors as a visionary interpretation
of space and time, so important for the definition of a contemporary image.
In other moments the artist reminds us how 20th century esthetics has married design, reaching
us in the form of cars to be bought and desired, as they have become symbols of social status with
eternal appeal. What strikes most about Bergonzoli’s art is without a doubt his pure and innocent
worldview, free of formal or fashionable superstructures, reaching his viewer directly and with the
immediacy of a commercial. After all, Pablo Picasso once said that in order to paint like a child he
would have had to work an entire lifetime. And so also the opening words on Bergonzoli’s website,
contemporary instrument of communication, express the following: “ I have arrived where I wanted
to begin”, a testimony to his profound awareness of existence, research and art.“
Dr. Guido Folco
Art- Historian, Art Critic
Director and President
Museo MIIT Torino
“The color, expanded by the artist in plain form, as if it were a print, or shaded by the superposition
of matter, reminds the audience of the first experiences with a young Pop Artist who began to show
his works to international critics.
Perhaps, even when we stared in amazement,for the first time, at the works of Roy Lichtenstein,
we already felt attracted by those bold and straightforward words represented by the symbol of a
black, defined stroke. This same symbol is found in the hands of Mauro Bergonzoli.”
Daniele Crippa
President of Museo del Parco
Portofino
“Mauro Bergonzoli is, undoubtedly an ironic translator of reality. In comic shape and vivid colors,
Mauro Bergonzoli, using the language of Pop-Art, confronts the common places of a metropolitan
lifestyle, trampled by mass culture. Here is an artist who, without fearing the pollution of life,
but working with it instead, proposes visual work made up of scenes we always see, managing to
make them stand out like an advertisement designed to last and promote thinking rather than
just functioning as a fast sales campaign.”
Francesco Gallo
Art Critic
“Mimmo Rotella in “The Gesture” grabbed manifestos from the cities’ streets and walls to later combine
them in synthetic and complex images as a mirror of a scaled society. Bergonzoli’s eye sees the
world in this way, stealing fragments of life, impressions, gestures and emotions to translate them
into works which are the quintessence of our chaotic daily life. Bergonzoli doesn‘t want to own reality
as Pop Art does, he wants to create his own and personal reality within it, in which the dynamism
and movement of his characters, the vivacity of color and the composition of the work of art are in
perfect symmetry, with his very own well-defined and never ordinary style.
Picasso has defined art as “a lie that helps us recognize the truth.” This calls for a look at the complexity
and not the linearity of the real world. Bergonzoli observes life and reproduces it with firm,
precise strokes, essential In the conception of art that is open to everybody, to be understood everywhere.”
Francesca Bianucci
Art Curator
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The fantasy of ice skating
on Piazza San Marco
becomes a reality in this
contemporary interpretation
by Mauro Bergonzoli.
Protagonists of high society
dressed in lavish Carnival
costumes and colourful
dresses, twirl on cold
turquoise surfaces dripping
off the canvas. The
love the northern Italian
artist has for the famous
Lagoon city is once again
manifested in this Canalettoesque
homage.
Venice on Ice – 2016 acrylic
6 on canvas 80 x 120 cm
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Inspired by Giovanni Tiepolo’s Masterpiece, “Neptune Offering
Gifts to Venice”, this painting tells the story of Neptune
bringing his riches from the Oceans to Venice. The rise in
popularity of mythology and the world of the Gods was very
much in fashion during the Renaissance. Bones of Saints
stashed in endless holy tabernacles all over the Lion City of
merchants alone were never enough for Venice to keep luck
and prosperity on her side. She was ever dependent on
riches arriving from the seas. Since 1177, with the discreet
permission of Pope Alexander III, a special mythical tradition
began and is still practiced today. In a festive celebration
once a year, the Doge, with his majestical boats, would embark
out to open waters and throw his ring into the ocean,
symbolising the marriage of Venice and the Sea. This resulted
in good omens for successful business and unending
good fortune.
8 Neptune’s marriage to Venice – 2016 acrylic on canvas 80 x 120 cm
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Piazza San Marco, Canal Grande, Carnevale and Snow in
Venice are other examples of Bergonzoli’s modern illustrations
of one of the most spectacular cities ever built. All are free of
the current contamination and suffocating tourism and instead,
highlight the unrivaled romance, storied history and the ethereal
beauty that once defined this grandiose and ancient city.
10 Piazza San Marco – 2016 acrylic on canvas 50 x 70 cm
Canal Grande – 2015 acrylic on canvas 80 x 120 cm
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12 Snow in Venice – 2016 acrylic on canvas 50 x 70 cm
Carnevale – 2016 acrylic on canvas 150 x 120 cm
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The late Robert Hughes, chief art critic of TIME MAG-
AZINE for over 30 years, acclaimed writer and documentary
film maker, once made this statement:
“One gets tired of the role critics are supposed to
have in this culture: it’s like being the piano player
in a whorehouse; you don’t have any control over
the action going on upstairs.”
This painting, “Art World” is Bergonzoli’s documentation
of the current art market with all its
fairs and biennales spanning the globe. In the language
of paint, he points out what the little boy in
the emperors new clothes said in words.
14 Art World – 2016 acrylic on canvas 120 x 150 cm
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Bergonzoli often paints
during live music concerts
organised for
his art collectors and
friends. From classical to
rock, he usually works
in his Atelier with inspiring
and energetic
music as his backdrop,
Jazz being a personal
favorite. In Blue Jazz,
this painting transports
its viewer into a world of
good vibrations oozing
directly from the soul.
The viewer is immersed
into a grooving room of
singing instruments and
funky musicians, with a
lovely lady at its center,
happily tickling the ivories
of her piano.
Purple Rain was playing
non-stop during the creation
of this portrait of
the legendary Minneapolis-born
musician, the
artist formerly known as
Prince, whose early and
tragic death occurred on
the Queens 90th birthday,
April 21st, 2016.
It is one of the several
portraits Bergonzoli has
done of famous artists
he admires.
16 Blue Jazz – 2013 acrylic on canvas 120 x 80 cm
Prince – 2016 acrylic on canvas 150 x 120 cm
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A powerful pink stallion carries a slender lightly dressed goddess
on his back through the moon and starlight drenched
garden. Weeping willow branches drape the dreamlike image
of the elegant Amazon as she rides past a water lily lake, accompanied
by a fluttering family of brimstone butterflies. Every
girl’s dream becomes a reality in this masterful painting infused
with elegance and grace, fantasy and beauty.
18 Moonlight Rider – 2016 acrylic on canvas 120 x 150 cm
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The Oceans and the riches they bring is a common subject in Bergonzoli paintings.
He often cooks himself and is aware of the current global sustainability issues that
demand our proactive attention to the protection of our waters. As a result, finding
high-quality Lobsters or Oysters has become more and more difficult and is a rare
luxury to be enjoyed on the plate or in this case, on the wall. This modern version of
a still-life motif often painted throughout history from the 17th century Dutch artist,
Jan Davidsz. de Heem to the American Pop Artist, Roy LIchtenstein, this painting illustrates
Bergonzoli’s appreciation for these precious sea creatures and our oceans.
In a recurring theme of the artist's oeuvre with Magic Bunnies, they appear again,
falling from the sky, asking questions or admiring the beautiful women who make
appearances on his canvases. Bergonzoli invented this character for the first time
in the year 2006 in a painting filled with magic bunnies. The bunny symbolizes the
importance to keep laughing, reproducing, having fun and believing in miracles,
without forgetting to look at the world with your own creative vision. The latter
keeps the magic alive!
20 Lobster and Oysters – 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
Magic Bunny Rudolph – 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
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22 Magic Bunny Dots – 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
Magic Bunny pharmacy – 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
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The famous legend of Lady Godiva dates back to the 13th century. After taking on a bet with her
husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, the wealthy Countess rode naked on horseback through the town of
Coventry in order to convince Leofric to soften the strict tax laws on his tenants. The night before the
infamous ride, she ordered everyone to shut their doors and windows so their eyes wouldn’t see her
naked body. However, a tailor who became known as “peeping Tom“ had drilled a hole in his shutters
to watch the beautiful Countess and was struck blind at her sight. Lady Godiva apparently won the
bet and taxes were lowered. In this painting, “Lady Godiva in the Museum”, Bergonzoli has again
immortalized her, but as an iconic sculpture surrounded by art lovers inside a contemporary museum.
Bergonzoli is not a
big fan of playing
games, yet when it
comes to love, he
has always put his
cards on the table.
After two divorces,
the message in
this painting is the
following: Taking
good care of your
Queen of Hearts
keeps luck on your
side and your children
happy.
24 Queen of Hearts – 2013 acrylic on canvas 70 x 50 cm
Lady Godiva in the Museum – 2016 acrylic on canvas 50 x 70 cm
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26 Summer Lake – 2015 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
Water Lilies Blue – 2015 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
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Bergonzoli’s Water Lily works, when hung on walls, create portholes to other magical
Edens, transcending our present world and into internal peace, visual pleasure
and holistic health. The soothing power of the images is a modern day homage to
the one and only Claude Monet, who understood the power of paint, brushes and
imagery from Mother Nature as a visual reminder of the fragility and beauty of our
natural world.
28 Water Lilies Detail – 2015 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
Water Lilies Green – 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
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A salute to guilty pleasures coming straight to you from
the artist. For a man, owning cars, horses and enjoying
the company of a beautiful woman by his side has
symbolized power and wealth throughout the ages. As
a real Italian, Bergonzoli loves not only the ladies' but
also fashion and beautiful cars. These contemporary
works are examples of this love expressed in vivid, expressive
color on canvas.
30 Pour Hermès – 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm
Ferrari – 2016 acrylic on canvas 80 x 120 cm
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32 RUF CTR Yellowbird – 2016 acrylic on canvas 120 x 150 cm
Enjoy Coca Cola – 2009 acrylic on canvas 120 x 80 cm
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Light Mirror – allo specchio
Design Light – different points of view
34 Lucky Rooster diptych – 2013 acrylic on canvas 70 x 50 + 70 x 50 cm
Light sculptures
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Bergonzoli Minis
New Bergonzoli Mini paintings on canvas are now available and
perfect for art collectors with smaller budgets or less wall space.
36 Water Lilies Mini – acrylic on canvas 20 x 30 cm
Gondola Mini – acrylic on canvas 20 x 30 cm
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38 Mozart Allegretto Mini – acrylic on canvas 20 x 30 cm
Maharadscha Mini – acrylic on canvas 20 x 30 cm
39

“Dopo il Ballo in Maschera“ – art collection Julia Oetker
Just as it used to be common during Renaissance
times and the days of Caravaggio, Goya, or Anthony
van Dyck, there are many people still today
who request a special piece of art created exclusively
for them by the artist. Mauro Bergonzoli
accepts his client’s made to measure orders and
Art commissions
paints every painting 100 % with his own hands.
His long experience in the advertising and film
world make him flexible enough to carefully translate
his collector’s wishes into portraits, frescos,
unique fashion pieces, or sculptures.
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“Jakob in Venedig”
art collection Fürst Fugger
Privatbank
“Constantin”
art collection Dr. Fritz
“Askan and Demi”
Private art collection
“Princess Anna”
art collection hereditary
prince oettingen-wallerstein
Portrait “Contessa”
art collection Countess
Franziska Fugger-Babenhausen
Neptune Fresco – Portofino
Private art collection
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“Yoanna and Charlie”
art collection Charlie Hanbury
“White Turf” - St Moritz
Private art collection
Magic Fireplace - Milano
Private art collection
Design Lamps
art collection
Hubert Burda Media
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The Country Atelier
Mauro Bergonzoli works in
his Bavarian „Giverny“ circa
1 hour away from Munich
where he receives collectors
and art lovers from around
the globe. During his painting
breaks he tends to his
botanical park and water
lilies lake in order to absorb
inspiration for new works.
A 400-year-old farmhouse
serves as a guesthouse for
visitors who wish to take
time to see the art paradise,
discuss their wishes
for a commissioned piece
or choose their favorite
painting.
Contact:
Mauro Bergonzoli
Country Atelier
Kohlstattstr.8
87757 Kirchheim-Tiefenried
Bavaria – Germany
office +49 8266 869230
mobile +49 1787423606
moneypenny@
maurobergonzoli.com
Mauro Bergonzoli international
contemporary artist
Born December 24th 1965 in Milan Italy.
Painting, drawing, sculpture, design,
animation, film
Mauro Bergonzoli was born as the son of an
engraver in Milan Italy on december 24th
1965. In his father's workshop he learned at a
young age how to master the craft of drawing
and precision. At 14 he entered art school and
soon began selling his first paintings and comics.
Following a successful career in the advertising
and commercial film industry, he dedicates
himself completely since the year 2000, to the
production of his own original artwork . After his
exhibitions received great recognition all around
the globe, Bergonzoli has found his Country Atelier
headquarters near Munich, Bavaria. With his
modern Neo-Pop-style of painting he revisits historic
subjects and reminds his observer of humanity's
beauty and fantastic achievements.
www.maurobergonzoli.com
+49 1787423606
moneypenny@maurobergonzoli.com
Instagram – bergonzoli.mauro
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Exhibitions:
2016 From Picasso and Miró to Contemporary Artists
– Site Oud Sint–Jan – XPO Center Bruges –
Belgium
2016 Bergonzoli in Bavaria – Bayrisches National
Museum, Munich, Germany
2016 Creative Art and Food – Museo MIIT – Torino,
Italy
2016 Bergonzoli Minis– Mozart Festival –
Fürst Fugger Privatbank, Augsburg Germany
2011 “The Magic Trip“ Galerie Terminus, Munich,
Germany
2010 “Finissage“ Fürst Fugger Privatbank, Augsburg,
Germany
2009 “Living and Modern Art“ – Fürst Fugger
Privatbank, Augsburg Germany
2008 Galleria A.S. Contemporanea, Forli – Museo
Mim, San Pietro in Cerro – Villa Arconati,
Milano, Italy
2008 Museo de Arte Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Artfairs:
2013 Art Miami
2012 “Grafik 12” Art FAIR , Zurich, Switzerland
2011 Art Miami, Art FAIR, Miami, USA
2011 Art Fair 21, Köln, Germany
2007 Biennale Venezia, live performance Joseph
Buys stand
2007 Venezia, Italia
Other Projects:
2016 Portrait of Jakob Fugger the rich – limited
edition postal stamp – Germany
2014 Bergonzoli Design Lamps for Hubert Burda
Media
2014 Mauro Bergonzoli for converse –
limited edition
2014 Mozart Festival – Augsburg –Exhibition, live
painting and charity auction for gifted children
in music
2016 Jakob in Venedig – Fürst Fugger Bank –
Augsburg, Germany
2015 Music and Art with Gerhard Polt – Country
Atelier – Kirchheim, Bavaria, Germany
2015 Jaguar White Nights – Exhibition Opening
and live painting performance, Kolbermoor,
Bavaria, Germany
2015 Country Life – Exhibition Opening at the
Country Atelier – Kirchheim, Bavaria, Germany
2014 Bergonzoli in Bavaria – Exhibition Bayrische
National Museum – Munich, Germany
2014 Mozart – Exhibition Gut Bannacker –
Augsburg, Germany
2014 Mauro Bergonzoli – selected works –
Hubert Burda Media – Communication
Highway – Munich, Germany
2014 Magic Bunnies – Exhibition at Egerner Höfe –
Rottach Egern, Germany
2013 Pferd International, Munich, Germany
2012 “Göttinnen” – De Martino Gallery, Munich,
Germany
2012 “Magic Kisses” – for Wrigley’s Spearmint,
Galerie Einstein – Berlin, Germany
2012 Moving Images” Scheublein Fine Art Gallery,
St. Moritz, Switzerland
2007 Galleria A. S., Milano – Venice Art Fair, Forli –
52 Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy
Autoria Art Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2006 Galleria Bocca, Milano, Galleria A.S. Contemporanea,
Forli – Museo del Parco, Portofino,
Italy
2004 Galleria A.S., Milano – Galleria Studio,
Buenos Aires, Argentina
2003 Wilson Art Gallery, Montevideo, Uruguay
2000 Galleria Studio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Group Exhibitions:
2013 “Lebensmotor. Was uns antreibt” – Mercedes
Benz Headquarters, Munich, Germany
2013 Domaine des Arts – St. Tropez, France
2011 “Wunderkunst Vernissage” Wunderkunst,
Art de Vivre, Munich, Germany
2011 Polo + Art – Berenberg Polo Derby – Flo Peters
Gallery – Hamburg, Germany
2010 Omeoart, Boiron – Homeopathic Medicine,
Lyon,France
2008 Omeoart, Piacenza, Italy – Fondazione D´ars
Oscar Signorini, Castell´Arquato, Italy
2007 Omeoart, Milano, Italy – Il Colore Del Domani,
Palazzo Ducale, Genova, Italy
Advertising and Film in Milan, Italy
1984 First publications of cartoons and storylines
for Corrier Boy Cartoon Magazine
1985 Free lance art director and illustrator for
Unilever, Minolta, Ferrero, Mercedes, Bayer,
Lipton Ice Tea
1991 Creative director for Transatlantic Milano
advertising agency
1993 First advertising agency “Reclam“ working for
Casio, Lorenz, and BAI BANK
1995 Joint venture with Landó Nardi agency
advertising products for Ferrero, Invicta Sport
Wear, De Fonseca, Ras Bank
1997 Joint venture with “No advertising“ agency
producing campaigns for Diadora Sport Wear,
Ferrero, Scarpe e Scarpe, Nardi cucine, Ciao
Web social network for Fiat
1997 Opens advertising agency “Los Angeles“
inventing special products for clients: Kinder
Surprise, San Carlo Chips, Wackos, Ferrero
Nutella seasonal campaigns, Varadero Rum,
Carrera sun glasses
1998/ Director of short films a imation made for
2003 Ferrero “Esta Thé" and Kinder Surprise,
Nutella Christmas, Executive, Ciao Web, Geox
shoes, San Carlo Chips
2013 Rita Hayworth 30th Alzheimer's Association
Gala – Waldorf Astoria New York City –
Mauro Bergonzoli painting donated for the
silent charity auction
2013 Charity project Scarf Painting for
Gut Aiderbichl animal sanctuary
2013 Hadassah Hospital charity donation –
painting and painted Mercedes Benz
Smart car
2013 Lebenshilfe München e.V. painting donation
auctioned off for charity at Pferd International
2013 in Munich, Germany
2012 Ritzenhoff “my little Darling” Espresso Cup –
designed by Mauro Bergonzoli
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www.maurobergonzoli.com