Notes

From the Estate of Aldo Carrara, Bergamot.

Strauss & Co is delighted to present on auction a collection of Edoardo Villa bronze sculptures from the estate of Aldo Carrara, a lifelong friend of the artist. After World War II, Villa was released from the Zonderwater prisoner-of-war camp and in 1949 Carrara arrived in South Africa. Through Vittorino Meneghelli, the two men, both from Bergamo in Italy, were brought together and soon were sharing accommodation and enjoying the freedoms of being bachelors in a post war environment. The two men were great pals as they had a lot in common, age, birthplace, dialect, ideas and culture, both were spurred on by a love for art. Villa applied himself to developing his artistic career and Carrara joined the Lupini brothers Luigi and Giuseppi – also from Bergamo and briefly interned in South Africa during the war – who were energetically growing what was to become a very successful precast business. Umberto Carrara, Aldo’s son, recalls the close connections formed between the vibrant hardworking Italian expatriate families living and working in and around Johannesburg. At their core was the importance of community and family life and their long Sunday lunches were renowned for delicious food, wine and robust discussions. They absorbed knowledge about African cultures and their contribution to modern art in South Africa is immeasurable. Aldo Carrara returned to Bergamo in 1960 but his friendship with Villa continued until Carrara’s death in 1994. Carrara purchased Caged Light (c.1956) from Villa but all the other bronzes currently on auction were gifted by Villa to Carrara over the years.