Antônio Virzi
Antônio Virzi (born May 13, 1882 in Palermo , † 1954 in São Paulo ) was an Italian-Brazilian architect who came to Rio de Janeiro in 1910 for various projects. His Brazilian works are often compared to those of the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi .
Life
Virzi was born in Palermo, Sicily, to Henrique and Maria Bruno Virzi, went to Rio de Janeiro around 1910 and died in São Paulo at the age of 72.
Information that Virzi should have studied in Turin is not documented, but architectural studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan. Participation in a special course in classical architecture at the Royal Polytechnic in Milan gives an indication of the final examination that may have been taken there and the title acquired.
Professionally, he was already successful in Italy. He received several prizes in architectural competitions, e.g. B. for the Palácio do Banco Comercial in Parma and for the Palácio dos Correios e Telégrafos in Milan as well as a "large bridge" made of reinforced concrete in the province of Bergamo. In addition, his design for a small pavilion at the Exposição Nacional in 1906 in Milan received an award.
Works
His most important architectural achievements in Rio include the Palacete Martinelli , the house of Smith Vasconcelos on Avenida Atlântica, the American cinema in Copacabana and the house on rua do Russel . Among the impressive buildings designed by Virzi is the famous Elixir Nogueira factory owned by Renault Gervário da Silveira. The construction of the building in 1916 was accompanied by controversial discussions, as Virzi, who was not a fan of the conventional techniques of architecture, designed the first two floors with cylindrical shapes and the upper floors with rectangular shapes. The factory was demolished in 1970 under protest from the population without any explanation. Unfortunately, in general, little has remained of all the things Virzi used to beautify the city of Rio with. With the exception of "Casa sem Vidros" on Rua Sá Ferreira, 80, now a public library.
Exhibitions and honors
In 1928 Virzi received a bronze medal in the field of architecture at the 35th Exposição Geral de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro.
From 1988 to 1989 an Antonio Virzi exhibition was held in Gávea von Funarte , the national cultural foundation, and the Instituo Italiano di Cultura .
literature
- Maria Helena da Fonseca Hermes: Antonio Virzi, arquiteto at 19 & 20, Rio de Janeiro, v. VI, n.1, jan./mar. 2011; Portuguese (accessed June 6, 2013)
- Alberto Taveira: A arquitetura de Antonio Virzi no Rio de Janeiro Portuguese-language article in the Revista cidade nova , Editora Garamond, from p. 163
Web links
- Antônio Virzi on Boemia e Nostalgia (accessed June 6, 2013)
- 23 photos of Virzi's works can be viewed on Panoramio due to lack of image rights (accessed on June 6, 2013)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b see literature Maria Helena da Fonseca Hermes: Antonio Virzi, arquiteto
- ↑ see web link Antônio Virzi on Boemia e Nostalgia
- ↑ O SALÃO DE 1928 - OS PRÊMIOS. In: Jornal do Commercio , Rio de Janeiro, 30th year 1928, p. 10.
- ^ O Salão de 1928. Os artistas premiados pelos júris do atual certame. In: O Globo , Rio de Janeiro, 29th year 1928, p. 3.
- ↑ Art Deco carioca ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English, PDF, 599 kB).
- ↑ Brazilian historian and art critic
- ↑ Brazilian architect and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Virzi, Antônio |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Italian-Brazilian architect |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 13, 1882 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Palermo |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1954 |
| Place of death | São Paulo |