Noel Quintavalle, known as Noelqui, was born in Ferrara on 23 December 1893. He graduated with a degree in architecture and was a self-taught painter.

After initially adhering to Divisionism he combined that style with the painting technique of glazing and transparencies.

After fighting in the Great War as an officer in the Alpine troops, he made his debut at the Brera Biennale in 1918. From then until 1927, he exhibited continuously at national and international exhibitions.

He simultaneously played an active role in artistic culture by collaborating with art magazines and newspapers, including the Famiglia Artistica in Milan, of which he was the director. His sculptures and woodcuts also date from this perio...