EMILIO GRECO ARTWORKS

Emilio Greco, born in Catania on 11 October 1913, was an Italian sculptor, writer and illustrator of great talent and recognition. Since he was a child, he showed an innate passion for art, filling his notebooks with drawings despite the initial disapproval of his father, who hoped for a more profitable profession for his son. His determination and creativity push him to pursue his dream despite adversity. At the age of thirteen, due to his father's illness, he had to leave school and start working as an apprentice stonemason at a local construction company specializing in the restoration and creation of civic monuments. This experience proved fundamental for his artistic development, as it allowed him to quickly learn the art of sculpting marble and modeling clay. Despite his difficulties, he managed to make significant progress in his artistic career. In 1934 Emilio Greco obtained a certificate from the Palermo Academy and subsequently carried out his military service in the Royal Army, participating in several colonial battles. During the Second World War, in Rome, he passively follows the events. In 1947, Emilio resides and works at Villa Massimo together with other renowned artists, which contributes to increasing his fame and prestige. The following year, he obtained the teaching position at the Liceo in via Ripetta, an important recognition for his career.
The enormous popularity of Emilio Greco underwent a surge in 1956 with the creation of the monument to Pinocchio and the Fairy in Collodi. His works are characterized by a poetic touch, in particular the cycle of Great Bathers and the portraits of young women. Other significant works include the Monument to Pope John XXIII in St. Peter's and the Doors of the Cathedral in Orvieto, completed in 1970.
Emilio Greco travels widely, exhibiting his works in important international exhibitions and accumulating honors and prizes in Italy and abroad. His art is admired and acclaimed in Paris, Tokyo, New York, Lisbon and even Australia. His talent and his mastery of sculpture earned him a prominent place in the artistic panorama of the 20th century. In addition to his career as a sculptor, Emilio Greco dedicated himself to teaching. Between 1955 and 1967, he was a professor of sculpture at the Academy of Naples and subsequently returned to teach in Rome. His influence also extends abroad, with a professorship at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and work in Salzburg at the invitation of Oskar Kokoschka.
Emilio Greco was a constantly evolving artist, experimenting with new techniques and styles throughout his career. His deep dedication to art was reflected in his creative philosophy, as demonstrated by a verse written by himself: "PERHAPS IT WAS NOT IN VAIN TO LOVE EACH OTHER IF YOUR IMAGE WILL ETERNALLY LIVE IN BRONZE...". He was a self-critical artist, often dissatisfied with his works, but proud of the creative process and the pleasure that came from it. Emilio Greco died in Rome on 5 April 1995, leaving behind him a lasting artistic legacy . His masterpieces are exhibited in major museums and collections around the world, including the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Pushkin Museum in Moscow and the Emilio Greco Museum in Orvieto, which opened in 1991. His art continues to inspire and fascinate lovers of contemporary art, confirming him as one of the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century.