About us
Agostino and his daughter Alice are united by a passion for art and a love for craftsmanship.
We are artisans and we handcraft masks and artifacts in papier-mâché and leather, following each stage of the process with care, patience and creativity. What we do is born from tradition, but comes to life every time in a new form.
Over the years our work has led us to collaborate with the theater, cinema, carnival and the world of decoration, creating unique pieces capable of telling stories, characters, and fantastic worlds.
But for us, this work is much more than a profession: it is a bond that has accompanied us throughout our lives. It is the way my father and I have shared time, ideas, passion, and creativity, passing down a craftsmanship that continues today. Every mask born from our hands carries with it a small piece of our history.
Since 1973, art and family tradition.
Our story
Art, material, identity.
The story of Agostino Dessì began in Sardinia and took shape in Florence, where he opened his workshop in 1979. An artist and craftsman, Agostino has dedicated his research to masks, exploring their infinite possibilities between sculpture, theater, and decoration.
Starting from the tradition of the Commedia dell’Arte and Venetian masks, he has developed a personal language over time, made up of original shapes, materials, and techniques. His research has led him to collaborate with theater and cinema, creating masks and props capable of transforming a face and bringing a character to life.
Over the years, the mask has become something more: a work of art, a face, a presence. Today, his workshop continues this research, combining artisanal know-how with the freedom of contemporary creativity.
Where it all began
Agostino Dessì presents his first solo exhibition, “Totem and Mask”, at the Gold Square Gallery in Turin.
Across the Alps
Every year, from 1983 to 1993, the masks travel to Berne and Zurich. In 1992 an exhibition at the Galleria Grossen in Grenchen.
Twenty years of masks
“Arte della Maschera” in Sardinia shows twenty years of Agostino’s work; in Grenoble, the masks of the Commedia dell’Arte.
Shakespeare in Florence
Masks for “Scene di Amleto” at Il Fabbricone and for “Il Duello” at Teatro di Cestello.
Pinocchio at the Maggio
Rabbits, cats, crows, foxes and owls for the opera Pinocchio at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
Father and daughter
Masks “by Prof. Agostino Dessì and his daughter Alice”: father and daughter now work side by side.
In the papers
“Il favoloso mondo dei Dessì”: Il Firenze tells the story of the atelier in Via Faenza, where everything is made by hand.
The masks in Florence
Since 1973, the masks in Florence: the atelier becomes one of the city’s little landmarks.
Open to everyone
International mask-making workshops: visitors from all over the world learn the craft in the atelier.
The whole family
Today the atelier in the heart of Florence is carried on by the whole family.
A life between
art and masks
Born in Sardinia in 1952, Agostino Dessì was introduced to the art and tradition of masks from a young age. After studying at the Art School in Cagliari, he continued his education in Turin and later in Florence, where he found the ideal place to develop his artistic research.
In 1973, he presented his first solo exhibition, “Totem and Mask.” In 1979, he opened his own workshop in Florence, dedicating himself to the artisanal creation of masks inspired by the Commedia dell’Arte, Venetian tradition, and sculpture. His ongoing research into materials led him to develop original techniques, processes and designs, creating lightweight, durable, and highly expressive masks.
Over the years, his creations have entered the world of theater, cinema, and carnival, collaborating with theater companies and film productions. Today, Agostino continues to explore the boundaries between masks, sculpture, and decoration with the help of his daughter Alice. From traditional faces to portraits and contemporary compositions, each work is born from the encounter between material, craftsmanship, and imagination.
A quest that began over fifty years ago, which continues today through hands, materials, and a passion for art.
Exhibitions
- Turin, 1973 Gold Square Gallery. Exhibition of sculptures mask and totems.
- Venice, February 1983 “Carnevale di Venezia” (Venice Carnival). Masks displayed in the shops of San Marco and Rialto.
- Berne, February 1983 Exhibition at jlios-Sonne (Münstergasse 45).
- Berne, February 1983 Exhibition at the Kleine Gallery.
- Zurich, February 1983 Exhibition at the Atelier d’Art.
- Rimini, December 1983 Four masks created for “Cicli” by Claudio Gasparotto.
- Fiesole, April 1984 Masks created for the Ente Teatro Romano di Fiesole.
- Rome, April 1984 Minotaur mask created for the Compagnia la Maschera.
- Malbourg, May 1984 Display for “Museum in der Strässe”, Phantastiche Italianische Masken. Also taught University course on papier-mâché masks.
- Stuttgart, December 1984 Exhibition at the Makal City Theater. Creation of masks for Pantomime by Peter Makal.
- Florence, January 1985 Punch mask created for the Niccolini Theatre.
- Tokyo, March 1985 Masks created for Bigi Inc.
- Rimini, November 1985 Neutral mask for performance of “Danza” by Claudio Gasparotto.
- Florence, November 1985 Masks for the contemporary theatre group Magazzini Criminali.
- Basel, January 1986 Exhibition at the Galerie Etage 2 Stock (4051 Basel).
- Frankfurt, February 1986 Exhibition at the Art Apart Art Center.
- Aumühle, May 1986 Exhibition in the town.
- Marano S.P., June 1986 Exhibition during the “Second Festival of Children’s Theatre”.
- Zurich, November 1986 Exhibition “Masken und Gesichter Stampfen” (Bachstrasse 115).
- Zurich, December 1986 Exhibition during “Weihnachts Antiquitäten Markt”.
- Rome, August 1987 Masks for Elfo, Foglia, Fuoco, Venetian Bauta, NO Theatre, for “Best International Films” of Rome, for the film “La Maschera” (with Helena Bonham Carter, dir. Fiorella Infascelli), with architect Bijan.
- California, November 1987 Exhibition in the city of Ventura, Chapman International Inc. (277 Burl Avenue).
- Holland, December 1987 Exhibition at Zamenian Ahmad’s “Pantalone” (Doonweg 4-C, 6097 CZ, Heel).
- Rome, January 1988 Masks for “Yamo Cinematografica” (Via Archimade, 112).
- New Orleans, February 1988 Exhibition of Masks at the Museum Cabildo (Jackson Square), sponsored by the Italian Renaissance Foundation, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, New Orleans General Consulate of Italy, Dept. of History, University of New Orleans (70148 Louisiana).
- Vilanova i la Geltrú, February 1988 Exhibition “Máscaras de Carnaval – Fellinià” at Vins i Art La Cava.
- Florence, April 1988 Masks created for “Life of Galileo” by Bertold Brecht, Teatro Le Laudi.
- Porto San Giorgio, May 1988 Masks created for “Vergilia Anceps”, Teatro Fuso.
- France, August 1988 Exhibition at Didier Tapis (26 Rue D’Italie, Chambery).
- Lucca, September 1988 Masks for the Teatro del Giglio (Piazza del Giglio).
- Florence, June 1989 Masks for the performance “Intorno a Biancaneve” by Centro Teatrale Il Boschetto.
- Geneva, November 1989 Exhibition at Mauravia (Rue du Rhône 27).
- Florence, October 1990 Masks for the contemporary theatre group Magazzini Criminali.
- Pisa, November 1990 Masks for “Enfante de Sable” (chor. Flavia Buccero), Teatro Politeama, Cascina.
- New York, December 1991 Exhibition at Merchandising Corporation (1440 Broadway).
- Grenchen, February 1992 Exhibition at the Galleria Grossen (Central Strasse 102).
- Pisa, January 1993 Masks for “A Mar Mediterraneo” (chor. Flavia Buccero, music Paolo Fresu), Teatro Politeama, Cascina.
- Helsinki, February 1993 Course on papier-mâché masks, Helsinki Fine Art Academy (with Prof. Hannu Siren).
- Brescia, May 1993 Exhibition and course on papier-mâché mask making at the “Atelier degli Artisti”.
- Florence, June 1993 Masks created for “La Fontana Magica” at Centro Teatrale IL Boschetto.
- Zurich and Berne, 1993 Presented at the Ornaris. Exhibitions in Berne and Zurich every year from 1983 to 1993.
- Finland, Summer 1994 Exhibition “kasvot – Le Maschere – faces”, Punkaharju Retretti Art Center, sponsored by Academy of Finearts Helsinki and Dept. of Design for Theatre, Film and Television, UIAH.
- Athens, May 1995 Exhibition “The Art of the Mask”, organized by The Cultural Center, Italian Cultural Institute of Athens, and Dante Alighieri Society – Greek Community; The Center – Ziller Hall.
- Washington D.C., 1995 Masks created for The Art and Drama Therapy Institute, Director Dr. Sirtu Sky Hiltunen.
- Sardinia, September 1996 Exhibition “Arte della Maschera”, displaying 20 years of works of Agostino Dessì.
- Grenoble, December 1996 Exhibition “Le Maschere della Commedia dell’Arte” presented by the Italian Consulate in Grenoble.
- Florence, November 1997 Masks created for Il Teatro Stabile di Firenze, “Mise en Space di Antigone di Sofocle”.
- Florence, May 1999 Masks created for Il Fabbricone Theatre, Shakespeare, “Scene di Amleto”.
- Florence, June 1999 Masks created for Teatro di Cestello, Shakespeare, “Il Duello” by A.Gatto.
- Vancouver, August–September 2000 Exhibition “Rituals and landscapes” at Langley Centennial Museum.
- Florence, October 2001 For Opera Pinocchio (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino), created masks of rabbits, cats, crows, foxes, owls. Produced by Luciano Alberti, dir. Augusto Vismara.
- Surrey – England, March 2004 Exhibition “Collection 2004” at The Farnham Maltings.
