Arnaldo Pomodoro (b. 1926, Morciano di Romagna, Italy) is an internationally renowned Italian sculptor celebrated for his innovative exploration of form, material, and space. Best known for his monumental bronze sculptures, Pomodoro’s work merges geometric precision with organic textures, creating dynamic contrasts that evoke themes of fragmentation, transformation, and the passage of time.
Pomodoro began his career as a goldsmith, which influenced his meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. In the 1950s, he emerged as a leading figure in contemporary sculpture, drawing inspiration from modernist movements and the Italian avant-garde. His early works often incorporated tactile surfaces and abstract forms, challenging traditional notions of sculpture.
His most iconic series, Spheres (or Sfere), features large-scale, polished bronze globes with intricate, fractured interiors that reveal mechanical-like structures. These works, such as Sphere within a Sphere (located at the Vatican, the United Nations headquarters, and other prominent sites), symbolize the tension between external perfection and internal complexity, exploring the interplay between order and chaos.
Pomodoro’s contributions extend beyond sculpture. As a set designer, he collaborated with major opera houses, creating stage designs that reflected his sculptural vision. His theoretical writings and teaching roles also shaped contemporary art discourse.
Exhibited globally in venues such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Pomodoro has received numerous accolades, including the Praemium Imperiale for Sculpture. His innovative approach to materials, scale, and conceptual depth has solidified his place as a transformative figure in 20th- and 21st-century art, bridging modernism and contemporary sculpture.