Emilio Pettoruti (Argentinian 1892-1971)

Acknowledged as a pioneer of modernism and abstraction in Argentina, along with his close friend Xul Solar, Pettoruti is also recognized internationally among the earliest artists to venture away from figurative painting into abstraction. In 1913, Pettoruti traveled to Europe at the age of 21. There, he saw and participated in exhibitions of modern art and met artists associated with avant-garde movements, including Futurism and Cubism. He journeyed throughout Italy, and visited cities such as Paris, Munich, and Hamburg. In July 1916, the Florentine Galleria Gonnelli holds an exhibition of his works which is reviewed in Il Nouvo Giornale favorably. Dating to 1914, Forze centripete, is one of the finest examples from the artist's Futurist period.

Neither a follower of Cubism or Futurism, Pettoruti forged an independent creative path that gained him critical acclaim. Having achieved critical success in Europe, Pettoruti chose to return Argentina in 1924 and foster the arts there and served as a link between artists from Europe, Argentina and other Latin American countries.