(Turin, 1883; Ibid 1958) Felice Tosalli was born in Turin in 1883. While still a child he began to spend time in his father’s carpentry workshop dabbling in drawing and woodwork. After completing his studies at the Reale Accademia Albertina di Belle arti, he went to Paris in 1905 and remained there until1907- it was an experience which affected him deeply. It was in Paris that he was able to carefully and personally observe the fauna in Jardin des Plantes and refine his sculpting technique in a workshop specialized in the restoration and production of furniture. He returned to Italy in 1909 and for the first time ever showed in a public exhibition at the LXVIII Esposizione della Società Promotrice delle Belle Arti di Torino. Between 1907 and 1915 he worked as a sculptor, as a graphic designer, illustrator ,lithographer and poster designer for the up-and -coming film industry. In 1920 he became a member of the Circolo degli Artisti di Torino where he exhibited his works constantly until 1932. He also showed intensively from 1921 to 1925 and won critical acclaim. He was introduced to the Royal Court of Savoy by HRH Princess Bona Sancipriano of Bavaria of Savoy. Tosalli received a number of important commissions including one for an Auriga (a slave with gladiator status) which was gifted by Filiberto of Savoy to Mussolini. In 1928 he began to work with the Lenci factory as a ceramic sculptor, while in the 1930s he was asked to work for the German company Rosenthal. After a long period of absence from the Turin exhibition scene, he held a personal show in 1935 in the Sala d’Arte Lombardi in Piazza Castello. He exhibited drawings and sculptures which had never before been seen. In addition to the wooden sculptures of wild animals which had made him famous as an original and highly refined animalier, the theme was mythological and literary and of a symbolist nature. He died in 1958 and in the following year the Circolo degli Artisti di Torino dedicated a retrospective exhibition to him. In 1990 his monograph was published by Alfonso Panzetta.
Federica Tiripelli