Franco Angeli (Italy, 1935-1988) Lavagna. Mixed media on canvas.

Signed and titled on the reverse: “Angeli Lavagna”.

From the Jacorossi Collection. Photo certificate of authenticity issued by the Archivio Franco Angeli, Rome, 2015.

Dimensions: 100 x 60 cm 39.4 × 23.6 in

Giuseppe Franco Angeli was born in Rome on 14 May 1935 and was one of the leading figures of post-war Italian art. Raised in a family with strong socialist ideals, he began working at an early age to support his mother after the death of his father. A self-taught artist, he became known for his distinctive use of gauze and layered materials, which gave his paintings a veiled, dreamlike quality.

 Angeli was a central member of the “Scuola di Piazza del Popolo”, alongside Mario Schifano and Tano Festa. His work frequently explored political symbols, communist imagery, and references to Rome, reflecting his strong social and political engagement. Over time, his style evolved from abstract informalism towards more figurative compositions, often featuring symbolic motifs such as obelisks and empty piazzas.

 He exhibited internationally at major events including the Venice Biennale and the São Paulo Biennial. Franco Angeli died in Rome in 1988, leaving an important legacy in contemporary Italian art.