Mario Pinton

Bio

Mario Pinton (1919–2008) represents one of the few figures in contemporary jewellery whose work most compellingly combines philosophical reflection, technical excellence, innovation, and educational legacy. Widely regarded as the founding father of the Padua School, or “School of Gold", Pinton redefined the parameters of Italian goldsmithing, elevating jewellery beyond its conventional decorative and functional associations into an intellectual and visual art form.
 

Statement

The goldsmith must follow the intrinsic creative principle in the human being. Matter is a source of inspiration, but it requires technical mastery and experimentation.

In the post-World War II era, a new sensibility pervaded the world of goldsmithing. Jewelry was not merely an ornamental object, but essentially an artistic product. Pinton was convinced of this. During these years, the Paduan artist created lightweight, figurative metalwork, unconcerned with the prevailing abstraction. His was a choice which harks back to the Greek, Etruscan and Roman worlds with highly refined workmanship. Pinton arrived to abstractionism only in the following decade and with great naturalness, following his own path of strong formal simplification. Furthermore, he reduced the material to a minimum to enhance the lightness of the artifact, almost never exceeding twenty grams in weight.

Ref: https://en.italiani.it/mario-pinton-e-la-scuola-orafa-padovana/