Arnaldo Pomodoro, one of Italy’s most celebrated contemporary sculptors, passed away on June 22, 2025, just one day before his 99th birthday. Best known for his monumental bronze spheres—fractured, intricate, and rich with symbolism—Pomodoro’s legacy spans decades of artistic innovation and international acclaim.
Here are ten facts you might not know about this extraordinary artist:
1. He started out as a stage designer
Before becoming a full-time sculptor, Pomodoro worked in theater set design, which helped develop his sense of space and structure.
Ph. © Carlo Orsi
2. He was trained as a surveyor
He earned a diploma in surveying—an unlikely background for an artist, but one that influenced his precise and architectural approach to sculpture.
3. His brother was also an artist
Giò Pomodoro, Arnaldo’s younger brother, was a well-known artist in his own right. The two occasionally collaborated early in their careers.
4. The ‘Sphere Within Sphere’ exists in multiple locations
Versions of his iconic Sfera con Sfera can be found at the Vatican, the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and several other cities around the world.
© Cecilia di Marzo
5. He once exhibited at the Guggenheim in 1966
That solo show in New York helped introduce his work to an international audience and solidified his place in postwar sculpture.
L'inizio del tempo. Ph. © Thomas Zieger
6. He was fascinated by writing systems and codes
Many of his works feature abstract symbols and pseudo-writing, inspired by ancient scripts and futuristic languages.
7. He taught at several American universities
Including Stanford and UC Berkeley—leaving a mark on generations of young artists and architects.
© Veronica Gaido
8. He designed jewelry, too
His intricate, almost architectural rings and pendants were collected by art lovers and celebrities alike.
9. He was deeply involved in urban space
Many of his sculptures were conceived as part of city planning, public plazas, and integrated architectural projects.
10. He founded his own foundation and archive
The Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro in Milan preserves his work and promotes contemporary sculpture through exhibitions and education.
Though he is no longer with us, Arnaldo Pomodoro’s art remains present—timeless, powerful, and strangely alive. His sculptures invite us to look beyond the surface, into the mysterious workings of time, structure, and human creativity.
From the left: 1962 Italsider Colonna del viaggiatore, Ph. © Gianluigi Bonomelli; Arnaldo Pomodoro at work, Ph.© Carlo Agnelli.
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Cover: Ph. © Nicola Gnesi per Fondazione Henraux
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