Price on request

Sculptures

period

1970

materials

Fuma plywood

dimensions

Height:170 cmWidth:59 cmDepth:9 cm

condition

Very good, original

Wonderful hand carved wooden wall panel designed by Nerone Ceccarelli and Gianni Patuzzi, manufactured by Forme e Superfici, Italy 1970. This beautifully sized wall panel is a striking example of the sculptural and graphic language developed by Nerone and Patuzzi during the height of their collaboration. Executed in a finely worked wood prized for its exceptional softness, the surface could be burnished and waxed with ease, allowing the material to achieve its characteristic depth, warmth, and subtle sheen. The resulting patina gives the panel a tactile richness that responds sensitively to changing light conditions. The composition features a layered and architectonic relief, built up from carefully carved wooden elements that form an abstract yet rhythmical arrangement. Typical circular motifs, stepped forms, and angular shapes recur throughout the surface, immediately recognizable as hallmarks of Nerone and Patuzzi’s visual vocabulary. The interplay between recessed and protruding elements creates a dynamic visual tension, with shadows shifting across the surface as the light changes, giving the panel an almost kinetic presence. This work was produced by Forme e Superfici as part of a limited edition. The original label on the reverse confirms an edition of 100 pieces, although it has long remained unclear whether the full edition was ever realized. This particular example is hand signed and numbered 9/100, adding to its collectability and historical importance. The panel remains in good original condition and can be displayed either horizontally or vertically, offering flexibility while preserving its strong sculptural identity. Nerone Ceccarelli and Gianni Patuzzi were the driving forces behind Gruppo NP2, an influential artistic collective active in the Turin area. Gruppo NP2 emerged in the postwar period with a radical and experimental approach that blurred the boundaries between art, design, and architecture. Their work fused geometry with abstraction, craftsmanship with industrial thinking, and decorative arts with conceptual rigor. Through their commitment to collaboration and innovation, Gruppo NP2 played a significant role in shaping the Italian art and design landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. Works such as this panel exemplify their belief that art should engage the viewer both visually and materially, transforming the wall into an active, expressive surface. As such, this piece stands not only as a decorative object but as a sculptural artwork that embodies the enduring legacy of one of Italy’s most forward-thinking creative partnerships.