Nadar

A man of detail, Fabrizio Clerici brought his professional proficiency and interests to his art. He graduated in architecture in 1937. A highly skilled draughtsperson, Clerici never subdued his precision and accuracy, quite the contrary. Influenced and inspired by the great masters and monuments of the Renaissance and baroque periods, his artwork constantly pays homage to these great eras, be it thematically or stylistically. His architectonic leanings will lead the artist to integrate the world of theatre as a set designer (1947). Clerici shined in this milieu, working in theatre, opera and the ballet. His fascination for the Renaissance perhaps explains the subject of Clerici’s contribution to the European Parliament’s Contemporary Art Collection. Indeed, Nadar, as the title indicates, depicts Félix Nadar (also known as Gaspard-Félix Tournachon; 1820–1910). Nadar was a well-known and revered photographer, caricaturist, journalist, novelist, balloonist and inventor of the eponym ‘nadar’ crowd-control barriers. In each of his fields, the Frenchman excelled and exceeded what was then deemed possible. In that sense, he meets Clerici’s interests as a modern ‘renaissance man’. Clerici’s artwork captures this versatility, Nadar being shown three times in various poses and attitudes.