Ruggero Savinio biography

Ruggero Savinio, a versatile artist with eclectic talent, is an Italian painter and writer, born in Turin in 1934. His family history is steeped in art and culture, being the son of the renowned Alberto Savinio (pseudonym of Andrea Francesco Alberto de Chirico) and actress Maria Morino, as well as the nephew of the famous painter Giorgio de Chirico. From a young age, Ruggero Savinio breathed the cultural air of his family, growing up in a creative environment that profoundly influenced his artistic path. After spending his childhood and early youth in Rome, where he had the opportunity to closely experience the art world thanks to his father and uncle, Ruggero Savinio studied Literature at the University of La Sapienza, an experience that undoubtedly helped shape his critical thinking and creative spirit. However, his artistic training was not limited to Italy, as Ruggero Savinio lived and worked in various European cities, including Paris, Milan, Switzerland, and Tuscany. These moves allowed him to come into contact with a variety of cultural influences that further enriched his artistic and intellectual background.
Ruggero Savinio's career quickly established itself internationally, thanks to his works exhibited in important galleries and museums in Italy and abroad. His talent earned him the prestigious Premio Peggy Guggenheim in 1986, an award that highlights his ability to represent emotions and complex concepts through painting.
Over the years, he explores various artistic movements, while maintaining a well-defined personal stance. His vision of art is timeless, considering painting as a form of contemporary expression that embraces the entire human artistic history. This approach allows the artist to draw inspiration from ancient and modern masters, from Greco-Roman art to Titian and the Venetian painters, up to Rembrandt and beyond, reflecting his belief that painting is a timeless continuum of creative expression.
The connection with family tradition and the influence of his uncle Giorgio de Chirico are crucial in his artistic development. However, Ruggero Savinio managed to distance himself from family personalities to follow his own path, finding a unique and evocative pictorial language.
One of the central aspects of Savinio's artistic production is the masterful use of color and textures, capable of creating enigmatic and evocative atmospheres. His works range from the romantic chromatic explosion of the "L'età dell'oro" cycle to the depiction of archaeological landscapes in the "Rovine" cycle. Among the themes he is particularly fond of are the "Conversazioni", where he places figures in an enigmatic space, recalling the sacred Renaissance conversations.
Parallel to his artistic career, Ruggero Savinio is also a talented writer, with numerous publications ranging from short stories to poetry. His literary vein blends harmoniously with his artistic world, creating an intense dialogue between words and colors.
Throughout his career, the artist holds numerous exhibitions in Italy and abroad, receiving important recognitions and invitations. His art is displayed in prestigious places such as the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna in Rome and the Biennale internazionale d'Arte in Venice, strengthening his position in the contemporary art scene.
At almost eighty years old, Ruggero Savinio continues to engage with painting with ever greater freedom, demonstrating his dedication and passion for art. The lack of meaning, which he recognizes as a characteristic of painting, becomes for him an opportunity to explore the ongoing dialogue with tradition and the eternal present of art. Ruggero Savinio is an artist who has managed to navigate between the shadows of the past and the contemporary present, creating a unique bridge between historical artistic influences and his personal creative vision. His evocative and intimate art continues to inspire and fascinate the public, testifying to the undeniable talent of a great master of Italian art.