Ernesto Treccani biography

Ernesto Treccani, born on August 26, 1920, in Milan, was an Italian painter whose artistic career and civic engagement were intertwined in a profound bond. The son of Senator Giovanni Treccani degli Alfieri, founder of the Istituto Treccani, he grew up in a rich cultural environment and soon emerged on the Italian artistic and political scene. From a young age, Ernesto Treccani demonstrated a strong inclination towards art and social change. He came into contact with avant-garde artistic and anti-fascist circles, becoming one of the founders of the Corrente group in 1938. This group brought together artists engaged in various artistic directions but united in the political struggle against fascism. In 1940, he exhibited his first works at the Bottega di Corrente alongside other artists such as Birolli, Guttuso, and Migneco.
World War II leads to the closure of the magazine Corrente, but Ernesto Treccani continues to fight for the values he believed were right. He actively participates in the Resistance and, after the war, continues his political and civil commitment through his art. His painting becomes a tool to express his ideas and emotions, and his chromatic expressiveness becomes a distinctive feature of his work.
One of the most significant periods in Ernesto Treccani's career is the 1950s, when the themes of his painting evolved. His personal experiences and observations of the contrasts between the rural reality of the South and the industrial urban landscape of Milan and Paris deeply inspired him. This duality is reflected in his works, where the chromatic nuances and bold use of color convey both the beauty and the hardships of life.
His painting, however, is not limited to the canvas. In 1978, he founded the Fondazione Corrente in Milan, a cultural center dedicated to the promotion of culture and art, as well as the collection and study of documents related to the period between the birth of the Corrente movement and the years of Realism. This commitment testifies to his vision of art as intrinsically linked to society and cultural debate.
Ernesto Treccani's poetics is evident also in his poetic works, where the connection between word and image merges into an uninterrupted dialogue. His poems demonstrate a deep interest in man and his role in the contemporary imagination, reflecting his commitment to participating in movements of protest and social renewal.
His artistic research has evolved over the years, ranging from realism to intimate lyricism and, at times, to the brink of abstraction. In addition to painting, he experimented with sculpture and produced works influenced by literary works such as Cervantes' Don Quixote and Boccaccio's Decameron. His relentless pursuit of artistic expression has taken him to different places, but he has always maintained a connection with places like Paris, Macugnaga, and Forte dei Marmi, which have fueled his creativity.
Ernesto Treccani died in Milan on November 27, 2009, but his artistic and social legacy continues to influence subsequent generations. His art was a testament to human and social commitment, a way to communicate the beauty and challenges of the world through the vibrant use of color and the intensity of expression. His works remain as a reminder of the importance of connecting art with life and using art as a means to express emotions, ideas, and change.