Nino Caffé biography

Nino Caffè, born Giovannino Caffè, was an Italian painter and engraver. He was born on June 24, 1908, in Alfedena, in Abruzzo. After completing elementary studies in L'Aquila, in 1923 he moved with his family to Ancona, where he began attending painting courses by Ludovico Spagnolini and sculpture courses by Vittorio Morelli. In 1930, after getting married, Nino Caffè settled permanently in Pesaro, a city that offered a lively artistic and cultural environment. Here he came into contact with various local artists, including Bruno Baratti, Werter Bettini, Ciro Cancelli, Alessandro Gallucci, Aldo Pagliacci, and Achille Wildi.
Already in 1931, he began exhibiting his works, and in 1938 he participated in the Venice Biennale, where he received a purchase award from King Vittorio Emanuele III. In 1935, he graduated from the State Institute of Art in Urbino, where he later taught "figure" in 1943 and 1944. During his time in Urbino, as a guest of the Benedetti family, the artist had the opportunity to observe the seminarians and priests who passed by the house, a theme that would characterize his future painting.
Nino Caffè actively participates in the cultural life of Urbino and in 1948 becomes a member of the Accademia Raffaello. In 1944, the Galleria Gianferrari in Milan dedicates a major exhibition to him, while in 1946, in Pesaro, he holds a solo exhibition in the gallery of Rossini's birthplace. From that moment, he begins to enjoy real success, opening a studio in Rome and collaborating with the Galleria dell'Obelisco, directed by Gaspare Del Corso and Irene Brin, which also opens a branch in New York. The Metropolitan Museum purchases one of his artwork.
In 1963, the painter closed the Roman studio and returned to Pesaro, continuing to collaborate with the Galleria dell'Obelisco. He also exhibited in other galleries, such as the Gianferrari in Milan, the San Luca in Verona, the Vicolo in Genoa, the Probibia in Palermo, and the Zoot in La Spezia. In addition to painting, he also successfully dedicated himself to engraving.
Nino Caffè's works have been appreciated by the major European and American collectors, consecrating the painter of little priests to international fame. His painting is characterized by a vibrant design, a refined chromatic composition, and a particular technical skill. In addition to religious themes, the artist also explores other social themes and, in recent years, develops a more dramatic tone, reflecting on the theme of death.
Nino Caffè died in Pesaro on May 17, 1975, at the age of 66, due to a cardiocirculatory collapse. His works are mainly held in private collections, but some paintings are also found in important museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Boston Museum.