Argentina-born, Italian painter and sculptor, widely regarded as one of the leading exponents of abstract art in Italy, in the 20th century.

Trained at the Brera Academy, in Milan, Fontana was the first artist to exhibit abstract sculpture in Italy, at an exhibition at the Galleria del Millione. While living in Paris, between 1935 and 1940, he became a key member of the Abstraction-Creation association. In 1946, he introduced Spatialism or Spazialismo, which aimed at artists working with scientists in creating new ideas and materials. His most well known paintings depict completely plain surfaces, with gashes in the canvas, on which they are painted. This well respected artist was awarded the International Grand Prize for painting, at the Venice Biennale , in 1966.