Antonio Possenti biography

Antonio Possenti was a renowned Italian painter and illustrator, born in Lucca in 1933. From a young age, Antonio Possenti demonstrated a remarkable artistic talent in drawing and an interest in fabulous storytelling, which he maintained throughout his career. After completing classical studies, he dedicated himself to self-teaching, delving into drawing and illustration. His formative influences are numerous and varied, thanks to his intellectual curiosity and the rich literary and artistic culture he absorbed from childhood through his family. His education ranges from Greco-Roman classicism to modern and contemporary art, with a particular preference for experiences of a fantastic and engaging nature.
Antonio Possenti travels a lot, coming into contact with different cultures and personalities, but he always returns to Lucca, a city he deeply loves and where he establishes his studio in the heart of Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. This magical place, which gathers like an immense suitcase the testimonies of his experiences in the world, becomes the source of inspiration for many of his works.
During his career, Antonio Possenti exhibits in important Italian and foreign galleries, including Gianferrari, Il Milione, Appiani Arte 32 in Milan, Marescalchi and Forni in Bologna, Davico and Biasutti in Turin, Traghetto in Venice, Poggiali and Forconi in Florence, L'immagine in Arezzo, Aminta in Siena, Philippe Guimiot in Brussels, Rutzmoser in Munich, East West Gallery in London, and Art Diagonal in Barcelona, just to name a few.
He also participates in numerous international art events, such as the Bologna Art Fair, Cologne, Milan, Art Basel in Basel, F.I.A.C. in Paris, Art Fair in Los Angeles, Art Miami in Miami Beach, New York International Art Fair, Tuyap in Istanbul, Foire d'art in Ghent, Arco in Madrid, Stockholm, St'Art in Strasbourg, and BART in Barcelona.
Antonio Possenti's works are present in important private and public Italian and foreign collections, testifying to the appreciation and relevance of his artistic talent. Critics, art historians, writers, and intellectuals have written about him, recognizing his significant contribution to the artistic field.
Antonio Possenti was a member of the Academy of Letters, Sciences and Arts of Lucca and the Academy of the Art of Drawing of Florence. He received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, solidifying his position as one of the most important contemporary Italian artists. Antonio Possenti passed away in the summer of 2016 after a long illness. His artistic legacy, characterized by an original, open, and poetic language, continues to be appreciated and studied, keeping his memory alive in the contemporary art scene.