1929. Gianni Maimeri is one of the few people
who can see in the Milanese canals a reflection
of mankind’s activity in the world.
He states his beliefs personally and in 1929
undertakes a tough battle with the Authorities
against a new town planning scheme which
involves filling in the Milanese canals
in the name of progress. His efforts are in vain,
the affair ends with the canals being covered
preceded by a great painting competition
in which artists are invited to paint the internal
circle of canals. Gianni Maimeri, despite
his commitment to running the company,
in less than a month manages to paint
30 marvellous works which, now belong
to a long-standing Milanese family.
1932. Gianni Maimeri, totally absorbed
in his studies, tests and experiments linked
to the company’s business activities,
begins writing A TREATISE ON PAINTING
and the still unpublished A TREATISE
ON THE STUDY OF COLOUR, a work touching
on concepts of philosophy and phenomenology.
1936. The need for more room to increase
production forces the Maimeri brothers to look
for new premises. The factory is consequently
moved to a new location, just a few metres
away when it relocates from the Blondel Mill
in via Ettore Ponti to the Carlesca canal.
1942. Zoe, Gianni Maimeri’s daughter, a piano
student at the Milan Conservatory since
the age of 8, pursues a musical career
and becomes a world-famous concert player.
Gianni accompanies her to all the weekly
concerts, using it as an opportunity to draw all
the movements of the musicians as they play.
He loves capturing the spontaneity of gestures.
1945. On March 31st 1945, the last day
of bombing in Milan, an explosive device
destroys the Maimeri plant. Fortunately
there are no victims but the damage is vast.
The process for obtaining state funds to pay
for the damage becomes long and drawn
out so Gianni Maimeri decides to finance
reconstruction himself.
Postwar period. Sink and Maimeri Oil
Colour tubes. The Serie A.
1945. Gianni Maimeri is painting together
with his friend Massimo Moro.