Umberto Boccioni (1882 - 1916) was an Italian theorist, sculptor, painter of the Futurist movement in art. He was trained in studio of the painter Giacomo Balla. Boccioni settled in Milan in 1907 where he gradually came under the influence of Filippo Marinetti, a poet. He became the leading theoretician of Futurist art after adapting Marinetti’s literary theories to the visual arts. He also became one of the most influential and prominent artists among the Italian Futurists. He was important not only in introducing the visual innovations, but also in developing the movement's theories that led to the development of a unique style now so closely associated with the group. Boccioni advocated the use of nontraditional materials in sculpture. These materials include wood, glass, cloth, cement, and electric lights. Boccioni also called for the combination of a variety of materials in one piece of sculpture. Boccioni first emerged as a painter, but later he produced some significant Futurist sculpture.
Boccioni was influenced by Cubism, and he also became interested in sculpture. He published the “Manifesto of Futurist Sculpture,” in which he anticipated developments in modern sculpture. Boccioni envisioned a new type of sculpture that would enclose and mold the space within itself. But his sculpture was much more traditional than his theories. He died aged only 33, while volunteering in the Italian army, making him emblematic of the celebration of Futurists. Boccioni’s untimely death marked the virtual end of the Futurist movement since he was the most talented of the Futurist artists.
