Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Pentagonal Composition

Name Class Date

Mario Radice, Pentagonal Composition, MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
Mario Radice topimpressionists.com/en/artists/mario-radice/
Artist’s dates
1898 – 1987
Original size
50 x 35 cm
Movement
Futurism An attempt to paint speed, machines and motion itself, made by artists in love with the modern city.
Period
Modern
Held at
MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate topimpressionists.com/en/museums/maga-museo-arte-gallarate-gallarate/
Artistic style
Abstract composition
Notable elements or techniques
Abstract and representational shapes
Subject or theme
Fish-like shapes and geometric objects

In context

Pentagonal Composition — Mario Radice

How big is it?

The original measures 50 × 35 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1890
  2. 1900
  3. 1910
  4. 1920
  5. 1930
  6. 1940
  7. 1950
  8. 1960
  9. 1970
  10. 1980

Shaded: the lifetime of Mario Radice (1898–1987)

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Clay #9a6b43

    Catalogued palette

    • #9A6B43
    • #210F0B
    • #7A4C2B
    • #532A1D
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Clay
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    About this artwork

    Pentagonal Composition — Mario Radice

    A Dance of Geometry and Form

    In the mesmerizing realm of Pentagonal Composition, the viewer is invited into a world where the boundaries between abstraction and reality dissolve into a rhythmic dance of shapes. This captivating work serves as a profound exploration of movement and structure, centered around a striking, elongated fish-like form that sweeps through the lower register of the canvas. The creature, with its graceful, tapering tail, acts as an anchor for the eye, guiding the gaze through a sea of interlocking polygons and vibrant hues. As one wanders deeper into the composition, smaller, ethereal aquatic silhouettes emerge near the upper periphery, creating a sense of depth and a layered, multidimensional space that feels both infinite and intimately contained.

    The technique employed in this piece is a masterclass in balance, where every sharp angle and soft curve contributes to a larger, cohesive visual melody. The artist utilizes a sophisticated interplay of color to define the edges of each geometric element, ensuring that while the shapes are distinct, they remain inextricably linked within a singular, flowing ecosystem. This approach creates a tactile quality that is particularly striking in a hand-painted reproduction, where the subtle variations in pigment and brushstroke can be truly appreciated. The composition does not merely present objects; it orchestrates an experience of visual discovery, making it an ideal centerpiece for those who appreciate art that rewards prolonged contemplation.

    Symbolism and the Architecture of Vision

    Beyond its immediate aesthetic appeal, Pentagonal Composition whispers of deeper, more structural themes. The use of pentagonal and polygonal motifs suggests a fascination with the underlying mathematical order of the natural world—a concept where chaos is organized into beautiful, predictable patterns. The fish, often a symbol of life, fluidity, and the subconscious, moves through these rigid geometric structures, representing the soul's journey through the structured constraints of existence. This tension between the organic and the geometric creates a profound emotional resonance, evoking feelings of both tranquility and intellectual stimulation.

    For the discerning collector or interior designer, this artwork offers more than just decoration; it provides a focal point of sophisticated intellectual inquiry. The piece possesses a versatile elegance that allows it to anchor a modern, minimalist gallery wall or to add a layer of complex texture to a classic, richly appointed study. Its ability to bridge the gap between representational storytelling and pure abstract form makes it a timeless addition to any curated collection, promising to inspire awe and conversation for generations to come.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Mario Radice

    Born in Como, Italy

    Museum

    MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate

    On show in Gallarate, Italy

    A Sanctuary of Modernity: The Soul of MAGA

    Nestled within the serene landscape of Gallarate, Italy,

    MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate

    serves as a profound testament to the enduring dialogue between tradition and the avant-garde. To step into this institution is to enter a curated journey through the pulse of the twentieth century, where the boundaries of perception are constantly challenged and redefined. Originally established as the Civica Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Gallarate, the museum was born from a prestigious lineage of artistic excellence, specifically designed to cradle the treasures emerging from the

    Premio Gallarate

    National Visual Arts Prize. This deep-rooted connection to a national competition has allowed the museum to act not merely as a repository for finished works, but as a living witness to the evolution of contemporary thought, capturing the very moment an idea transforms into a masterpiece.

    The architecture of MAGA is far more than a mere container for art; it is an active participant in the viewing experience. The contemporary structure was conceived with an intentional emphasis on openness and the ethereal quality of natural light, creating a luminous atmosphere that breathes life into the canvases and sculptures it houses. This architectural transparency mirrors the museum's mission to foster accessibility and engagement, inviting visitors to move through spacious, airy interiors that feel both monumental and intimate. For interior designers and lovers of spatial harmony, the museum’s design serves as a profound inspiration, demonstrating how light and volume can be orchestrated to elevate the emotional resonance of an object.

    A Tapestry of Creative Mastery

    The collection itself is a breathtaking tapestry of human creativity, boasting over 5,000 works that span the vast spectrum of modern and contemporary expression. For the discerning collector or the lover of fine aesthetics, the museum offers an unparalleled encounter with the titans of Italian art history. The holdings are a masterclass in versatility, seamlessly weaving together various disciplines and movements:

    The Pioneers of Abstraction:

    One might find themselves lost in the rhythmic, spatial interventions of

    Lucio Fontana

    or captivated by the geometric rigor of the

    Concrete Art Movement

    , featuring works by pioneers such as

    Angelo Bozzola

    .

    Emotive Landscapes and Forms:

    The collection breathes with the textured, emotive landscapes of

    Ennio Morlotti

    and the profound legacies of masters like

    Carlo Carrà

    and

    Bruno Munari

    .

    Experimental Media:

    Beyond traditional painting, the museum explores the raw intimacy of photography, the precision of graphic design, and the immersive power of large-scale installations, including the experimental light-play of

    Studio Azzurro

    and the kinetic explorations of

    Gianni Colombo

    .

    What truly distinguishes MAGA is its role as a cultural bridge, connecting the historical weight of the

    Palazzo Leone da Perego

    in Legnano with the cutting-edge energy of its modern Gallarate headquarters. It is a place where the legacy of established masters meets the experimental spirit of today’s emerging talents. Whether through grand retrospective exhibitions or intimate explorations of geometric abstraction, MAGA remains a vital hub for those who seek to understand the transformative power of art and witness the enduring strength of the creative vision that continues to shape our global cultural landscape.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Pentagonal Composition

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/mario-radice-pentagonal-composition-D7JM3Q-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Radice, Mario. Pentagonal Composition. n.d., MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/mario-radice-pentagonal-composition-D7JM3Q-en/
    APA
    Radice, Mario (n.d.). Pentagonal Composition [Painting]. MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/mario-radice-pentagonal-composition-D7JM3Q-en/
    Chicago
    Mario Radice. Pentagonal Composition. n.d. MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/mario-radice-pentagonal-composition-D7JM3Q-en/
    Harvard
    Radice, Mario (n.d.) Pentagonal Composition. MAGA - Museo Arte Gallarate. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/mario-radice-pentagonal-composition-D7JM3Q-en/

    Look closely

    Pentagonal Composition — Mario Radice

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: abstract, geometric shapes, fish motif. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Futurism: An attempt to paint speed, machines and motion itself, made by artists in love with the modern city. Where can you see that in this work?
    5. Themes that come back through the work of Mario Radice: futurist geometric abstraction, dynamic movement and form, abstracted organic shapes. Which of them do you see here?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.