Virgil Cantini

Infobox Artist
bgcolour = #EEDD82
name = Virgil D. Cantini


imagesize =
caption =
birthname =
birthdate = 1919
location = Italy
deathdate =
deathplace =
nationality = Italian-American,
U.S. Resident since 1930
field = Enamelist, Sculptor
training = Manhattan College,
Carnegie Mellon University,
PhD, Duquesne University
movement =
works = "Man" sculpture (1965)
patrons =
awards = Time Magazine "Hundred Leaders of Tomorrow" (1953)
Guggenheim Fellowship (1957)

Virgil David Cantini (1919 - ) is an enamelist [cite book
title=Christian Art Since the Romantic Movement
|first=Winefriede
last=Wilson
year=1965
publisher=Burns & Oates
pages = p. 131
quote=Virgil Cantini is noted for his enamels in the USA.]
sculptor and educator. He has many large scale works throughout the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [cite web |url=http://www.askart.com/askart/artist.aspx?artist=133810 |title=Virgil Cantini - Artist, Art - Virgil D. Cantini |accessdate=2007-07-15 |publisher=AskART |quote=An enamelist sculptor and educator, Virgil Cantini has been a prolific sculptor whose work, often large scale, is throughout the city of Pittsburgh including in the lobbies of office buildings, private homes and in outdoor public places.] Professor Cantini has been a long time member of the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, [cite book
title=The story of the Italians in America
series=Your ancestor series
first=Michael Angelo
last=Musmanno
year=1965
publisher=DoubleDay
quote=Virgil Cantini of the University of Pittsburgh is a dedicated and accomplished craftsman in painting, sculpture, art metal, and pottery.] formerly chair of the Department of Art, [cite web |url=http://www.aapgh.org/education.html|title= Education at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh|accessdate=2007-07-15|quote=Virgil Cantini, former chair of the Department of Art at the University of Pittsburgh] now Professor of Studio Arts, Emeritus. [cite web |url=http://www.umc.pitt.edu/bulletins/archive/fas/html/faculty.htm|title=Faculty of Arts and Sciences|accessdate=2007-07-15 |publisher=University of Pittsburgh, Graduate Arts and Sciences |quote=VIRGIL D. CANTINI,* Professor of Studio Arts, Emeritus. PhD, Duquesne University] As an artist, he is known for innovation with enamel and steel.Citation
author = Office of Public Art
title = Pittsburgh Art in Public Places : Downtown Walking Tour
year = 2006
pages = pp. 63, 124
place = Pittsburgh, PA
url = http://www.publicartpittsburgh.org/public_art_walkingtour.htm
quote = This Pittsburgh artist is known for his innovations with enamel and steel.] He has received both local and national recognition for his work, including honorary awards, competitive prizes and commissions, [cite book
title=Humanitas
author=Institute of Man
year=1979
publisher=Center for the Study of Human Development of the Institute of Man
pages= p. 133
quote=VIRGIL CANTINI, contemporary sculptor, artist-teacher and professor of fine arts at the University of Pittsburgh, has received both local and national recognition for his work, including honorary awards, competitive prizes and commissions.] and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1957. [cite book
title=Directory of Fellows, 1925-1974
pages= p. 61
author=John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
year=1975
publisher=The Foundation
quote=Cantini, Virgil David. Artist; Professor of Fine Arts, University of Pittsburgh: 1957.]

Partial list of works

* 24 by 36 foot Mosaic, Teplitz Memorial Moot Courtroom, Barco Law Building, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, representing the artist's conception of the harmony of the law and the rich tapestry of the American legal system [cite web |url=http://www.law.pitt.edu/about/facilities.php |accessdate=2007-07-15 |title=Facilities - About Us - Pitt Law|quote=A focus of visual interest is the large (24 by 36 foot) mosaic mounted on the wall behind the judges' bench...a dramatic compound of 126 porcelain-on-steel pieces [that] represents the artist's conception of the harmony of the law and the rich tapestry of the American legal system.]
* "Mosaic Tunnel," Glass mosaic (1964), Pedestrian tunnel behind U.S. Steel Tower, beneath Bigelow Boulevard, downtown Pittsburgh.
* "Man," Bronze and Steel sculpture (1965), Parran Hall facade, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health. [cite web |url=http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/content.php?page=82&context=contextabout |accessdate=2007-07-15 |title=University of Pittsburgh: Graduate School of Public Health: Sculpture|quote=Hanging high atop Parran Hall's facade, "Man" symbolizes the human quest for knowledge, with special reference to international research in the health fields.] Cantini designed Man as a sculpture referring to the body, knowledge, and health.
* "Ode to Space," Steel with bronze and glass sculpture (1966), Forbes Avenue at University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Dedicated as a tribute to Chancellor Edward Litchfield, who died in a plane crash in 1968.Citation
author = Office of Public Art
title = Pittsburgh Art in Public Places - Oakland Walking Tour
year = 2006
pages =
place = Pittsburgh, PA
url = http://www.publicartpittsburgh.org/public_art_walkingtour.htm
quote = Ode to Space...was sited by the University of Pittsburgh as a tribute to Chancellor Edward Litchfield, who died in a plane crash in 1965 [sic] .]
*"Joy of Life," Cor-Ten steel sculpture (1969), East Liberty Mall at Penn and Highland Avenues, Pittsburgh.cite journal
author = Gaser, Mary Ann
publisher = Pittsburgh Gifted Center
year =
title = Meet Me by the Mother’s Statue : Sculpture as Landmarks
url = http://banyan.chatham.edu/pti/2004%20units/Pittsburgh%20Landmarks%20and%20Parks/Gaser%20unit.pdf
accessdate = 2007-07-15
quote = “Virgil Cantini’s Joy of Life is the focal point of the East Liberty Mall. Commissioned by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, the fountain was dedicated in 1969.
format = dead link|date=June 2008 – ^{[http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=author%3A+intitle%3AMeet+Me+by+the+Mother%E2%80%99s+Statue+%3A+Sculpture+as+Landmarks&as_publication=&as_ylo=&as_yhi=&btnG=Search Scholar search]} ]
* "Aerial Scape, Skyscape," Porcelain enamel (1970), One Oliver Plaza, Rear Lobby, 210 Sixth Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh.
*"Science and Mankind" Porcelain enamel mural (1973) in Chevron Science Center at the University of Pittsburgh is said to be his proudest work. [cite news
title=Cantini's art beautifies Pitt
date=2007-10-26
first=Holden
last=Slattery
work=The Pitt News
url = http://media.www.pittnews.com/media/storage/paper879/news/2007/10/26/News/Cantinis.Art.Beautifies.Pitt-3058658.shtml
quote=Cantini is most proud of his 1973 work, "Science and Mankind," a 40 by 30 foot porcelain enamel mural inside the Chevron Science Center, depicting a man and a woman touching hands, their skeletal and muscular systems exposed.]
*"Enlightenment and Joy," porcelain enamel mural (1977) entrance to Wesley W. Posvar Hall University of Pittsburgh. [cite journal
author =
publisher = Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
date = 2006-11
title = Office of Public Art Releases Oakland Walking Tour
url = http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/mayor/photos_ravenstahl/2006/november_photos/06_amusement_tax/06_GPAC_newsletter.pdf
accessdate = 2007-07-15
quote = The complete tour takes about 75-120 minutes and includes historic sculptures and buildings such as...Enlightenment and Joy, the 1977 porcelain enamel mural by Virgil Cantini...] The vibrant colors are the result of several layers of paint on each individual tile.
* Large enamel painting framing a crucifix and enamel paintings of the 14 stations of the cross, originally in St. Henry Church in the Arlington neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, moved to the now failed art museum at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. [cite news
title=Arlington church's artwork headed to cultural center in Washington, D.C.
date=2005-08-25
first=Jan
last=Ackerman
work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
quote=When St. Henry on Arlington Avenue closes this month, Cantini's 14 enamel paintings of the stations of the cross and the centerpiece enamel painting and crucifix behind the altar at St. Henry will be getting a new life.]

References

ee also

*Parran Hall
*Wesley W. Posvar Hall
*Barco Law Building
*David Lawrence Hall (University of Pittsburgh)