Mario Schifano, an Italian painter, filmmaker, and avant-garde master, stands out as one of the most influential figures in post-war Italian creativity. Schifano's artifacts are characterized by a deep exploration of contemporary culture, where he used various media to express the complexities of modern life. His expressions were a unique blend of abstract and figurative elements, often delving into the realms of pop, conceptualism, and the avant-garde. Schifano’s production is both a reflection and a critique of the consumerism, media, and industrialization that defined the 20th century.
Biography
Mario was born on September 20, 1934, in Homs, Libya, which was then an Italian colony. His father, of Sicilian descent, worked for the Ministry of Public Education and collaborated with the archaeologist Renato Bartoccini. After World War II, the Schifano family returned to Rome. Mario's restless personality led him to leave school at a young age. Initially, he worked as a clerk before following in his father's footsteps, who was employed at the Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia as an archaeologist and restorer. This experience brought Schifano closer to the creative world, where he began creating pieces influenced by the Informel movement.
He held his first solo exhibition in 1959 at the Galleria Appia Antica in Rome. By the late 1950s, he became involved with the Scuola di Piazza del Popolo, a group of masters who frequented the Caffè Rosati, located in Piazza del Popolo in Rome. This group, which included prominent figures like Franco Angeli, Tano Festa, Francesco Lo Savio, Mimmo Rotella, and Giosetta Fioroni, became central to the Italian and European Pop movement. Schifano's pieces from this period were often showcased alongside those of his contemporaries, solidifying his place in the Italian creative scene.
In 1961, Mario won the Lissone Prize for "Young International Painting" and had a solo exhibition at Galleria La Tartaruga, run by Plinio De Martiis in Rome. During this time, he became romantically involved with Anita Pallenberg, with whom he traveled to New York in 1962. There, he came into contact with key figures of the American Pop movement, such as Andy Warhol and Gerard Malanga, and immersed himself in the vibrant New York creative scene, attending events hosted by the New American Cinema Group. Schifano's exposure to these influences profoundly shaped his creative direction, and he began experimenting with LSD during this period.
Upon returning to Italy, Schifano continued to exhibit his pieces in Rome, Paris, and Milan, and participated in the 1964 Venice Biennale. His creations from this period, particularly the "Anemic Landscapes," focused on memory and the fragmented representation of nature, often with references to art history that would later evolve into his well-known Futurist reinterpretations. In 1964, Schifano also ventured into experimental filmmaking, producing 16mm films like Round Trip and Reflex, which established him as a significant figure in Italian avant-garde cinema.
Throughout the late 1960s, Schifano's life intertwined with the international creative and music scene. He formed a band, "Le Stelle di Mario Schifano," and collaborated with notable musicians, further blurring the lines between visual and performing arts. His artifacts during this time also led to collaborations with prominent filmmakers such as Marco Ferreri, for whom Schifano created title sequences and visual elements for films like L'Harem (1967).
The 1970s and 1980s marked a period of intense creative output for Mario, during which he embraced new technologies and mediums. His production in these decades was characterized by the integration of photography, television imagery, and computer-generated art. Schifano's fascination with the intersection of creativity and technology was evident in his "computerized canvases," where he used early computer technology to create images that were then transferred onto emulsified canvases.
Despite his successes, his life was marred by struggles with drug addiction, which contributed to his reputation as a "cursed master." His addiction issues, however, did not overshadow his prolific output, which continued to evolve with the changing cultural landscape. In the 1980s, Mario's creation began to reflect his engagement with the pop culture and the underground scene, as seen in his collaborations with the creators of the influential magazine Frigidaire.
In the 1990s, Schifano's artifacts became increasingly multimedia-focused, although he never completely abandoned traditional painting. His later creations often dealt with themes of media saturation and the impact of technology on society. Despite legal troubles related to drug possession, Schifano remained a central figure in the Italian creative world until his death from a heart attack on January 26, 1998, in Rome.
Mario's legacy is preserved in numerous collections and exhibitions, and his influence continues to resonate in contemporary creativity. His artifacts are a testament to his relentless curiosity and his ability to bridge the gap between traditional art forms and the rapidly changing technological world.
The Rock-Star Lifestyle, The Rolling Stones, and New York
Mario Schifano brought a rock'n'roll attitude to the creative world, not only because he formed and briefly managed his own band, "Le Stelle di Mario Schifano" (The Stars of Mario Schifano), but also through his flamboyant lifestyle. He was known for his numerous romantic relationships, including a well-documented relationship with model and actress Anita Pallenberg, who later became involved with both Brian Jones and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones.
Schifano's Roman apartment became infamous for the wild parties he hosted. His neighbor, the scholar Mario Praz, described him as "a complete savage," complaining about the "shady characters" that frequented the apartment and the constant noise.
In the mid-1960s, Schifano spent time in New York, where he mingled with key figures of the American creative scene, such as Andy Warhol. He was one of the few European artists to exhibit alongside Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and others in "The New Realists," a pivotal Pop Art exhibition held at the Sidney Janis Gallery in Manhattan in 1962. This exhibition helped cement his place as a significant figure in the global Pop Art movement.
Style, Movement, and Subjects
Mario Schifano is often associated with the Italian "Scuola di Piazza del Popolo," a group of creatives in Rome that paralleled the American Pop movement. However, Schifano's work transcends simple categorization. His style is a complex fusion of pop, abstract expressionism, and conceptual art. He often used vibrant colors, repeated imagery, and a mixture of traditional and non-traditional materials to create his pieces.
The subjects of his work varied widely but were always deeply rooted in contemporary culture. He frequently depicted iconic images from mass media, advertisements, and industrial objects, turning them into critical reflections of modern society. His creations also explored themes of nature, technology, and the human experience, making his production both a commentary and a celebration of the world around him.
After his explorations with Monochromes, he transitioned away from Pop Art, turning his focus toward landscape painting. However, his approach to this genre was far from traditional; Schifano's landscapes bore little resemblance to the works of Constable or Corot. Instead, he approached them with an avant-garde sensibility, employing unconventional materials such as parcel paper, which he adhered to his canvases, and enamel paint, typically reserved for industrial uses.
Schifano also had a penchant for covering some of his works with a layer of Perspex, further emphasizing his use of everyday materials. This practice foreshadowed the Arte Povera movement, which similarly embraced commonplace, humble materials.
In many of his landscape paintings, Schifano deliberately left large areas unfinished, allowing the parcel paper to remain visible. This could be interpreted as his commentary on the nature of landscape painting—highlighting that no matter how realistic a depiction, it remains merely a representation of reality, not reality itself.
Politically, Mario's work and outlook reflected a deep skepticism of surface appearances. By the late 1960s, he became increasingly involved in left-wing politics, actively supporting and financially contributing to anti-government movements across Italy.
Famous Pieces
Mario Schifano began his artistic career influenced by the Art Informel movement, but by 1960, he started developing a series that would define his career: the Monocromi or "Monochromes." These pieces were characterized by canvases filled with a single, vibrant color, energetically applied to create a dynamic visual field. The simplicity and intensity of these paintings quickly captured the attention of the creative world.
As Schifano's reputation grew, he became a central figure in Rome's burgeoning art scene. During the 1960s, Rome was experiencing rapid economic growth and a vibrant consumer culture, fueled in part by the Marshall Plan. Schifano, along with other artists from the Piazza del Popolo school, began to respond artistically to the changing urban landscape, particularly to the proliferation of advertising that dominated the streets.
Among his most celebrated pieces from this period are his reinterpretations of corporate logos, particularly those of Coca-Cola and Esso. In these series, Schifano did not simply replicate the logos; instead, he isolated sections of them and applied loose, expressive brushstrokes, deliberately avoiding the polished, mechanical look of the original designs. This approach allowed him to deconstruct and critique the growing commercialization of Italian society.
The titles Mario chose for these pieces often included the word "propaganda," underscoring his critical stance on consumer culture. His ability to blend artistic expression with social commentary is also evident in other significant pieces such as:
- "Coca-Cola" (1962): An early example of his Pop Art work, this painting reflects his deep engagement with consumer culture and mass media.
- "Compagni Compagni" (1968): A powerful, politically charged piece that combines text and imagery to address social and political issues.
- "Pericolo di Morte" (1963): Known for its stark, monochromatic palette, this piece explores industrial and urban themes.
- "Futurismo Rivisitato" (1967): In this series, Schifano revisits and reinterprets the Italian Futurism movement, merging historical and contemporary artistic elements.
His innovative approach not only solidified his place in the Italian Pop Art movement but also left a lasting impact on contemporary art. His works from the 1960s, particularly his explorations of monochromatic fields and his deconstruction of corporate imagery, remain some of the most iconic and sought-after pieces in the art world today.
Mario Schifano - Opera Unica Painting by Mario Schifano
Analysis of the work
This masterpiece, titled Opera Unica, is a unique piece that features a hand-retouched photograph. The image prominently displays the iconic RAI logo alongside a minimalist clock face, rendered in Mario’s characteristic bold, expressive style. The deep blue background contrasts sharply with the white elements, creating a visually striking composition that reflects Schifano’s engagement with media imagery and pop culture. This piece is authenticated by Galleria Mazzoli and is registered with the Schifano Foundation, ensuring its provenance and significance within the artist's body of work.
Exhibitions and the Art Market
Mario Schifano's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions worldwide, both during his lifetime and posthumously. He exhibited at the Venice Biennale multiple times, solidifying his status as a key figure in Italian contemporary art. Schifano's pieces have been showcased in important museums and galleries, contributing to his reputation as a leading artist of his time.
In the art market, Mario's works have seen a steady rise in value, reflecting his enduring influence. His paintings are highly sought after by collectors, with some of his pieces fetching significant sums at auctions. Notably, the most valuable pieces by Schifano at auction have consistently been those created in the 1960s. For instance, in 2022, "La stanza dei Disegni" (1962) was sold at Christie’s in Paris for €1,302,000, making it the second-highest auction price for his work. The highest price for one of his pieces currently stands at €2.3 million.
In the late 1980s, Schifano was commissioned to design the leader's jerseys for the Tour de France, showcasing his lasting influence in the cultural sphere.
Influence on Other Artists
Mario's innovative approach to art has inspired countless artists across generations. His ability to merge high art with popular culture, along with his fearless experimentation with materials and techniques, has left a lasting impact. Contemporary artists who explore similar themes of media, technology, and consumerism often cite Schifano as a significant influence. His work continues to resonate in the practices of modern visual artists who challenge the boundaries of traditional art forms.
Little-Known Facts
Despite his fame, there are several intriguing aspects of Mario's life that remain lesser-known:
Musical Ventures: He was also a musician and formed a band called "Le Stelle di Mario Schifano" in the 1960s, blending rock music with his visual art.
Experimental Films: Mario was an early experimenter with film as an art form, creating several avant-garde films that pushed the boundaries of cinema.
Personal Challenges: He struggled with addiction throughout his life, a fact that deeply influenced his work, particularly in his later years.
Mario Schifano remains a pivotal figure in the history of Italian contemporary art. His unique style, characterized by a blend of Pop Art, abstraction, and conceptualism, set him apart from his contemporaries. Through his diverse body of work, he offered profound insights into the cultural and social changes of the 20th century. His influence continues to be felt today, not only through his artworks but also in the many artists he inspired. As the art world continues to evolve, Mario's legacy as a visionary artist endures, offering a timeless reflection on the complexities of modern life.
Selena Mattei
| ArtMajeur Magazine
