Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Francesco Clemente Biography
Francesco Clemente is an Italian contemporary artist whose work is characterized by its emotional intensity, vivid color, and exploration of spirituality and the human form. Born on March 23, 1952, in Naples, Italy, Clemente grew up in a conservative family, the only son of Judge Marchese Lorenzo Clemente di San Luca and his wife, Bianca Quarto. His early education was steeped in the humanities, focusing on Latin, Greek, and Italian literature, as well as classic and modern philosophical themes.
In 1970, Clemente began studying architecture at the Sapienza University of Rome, but his passion for art soon took precedence. The following year, he had his first solo show at the Galleria Valle Giulia in Rome, featuring conceptual collages with photographs. This marked the beginning of a prolific and diverse artistic career that would see him become a leading figure in the Italian Transavanguardia movement and an influential artist in the Neo-Expressionist movement in the United States.
Clemente's early works were primarily ink drawings and collages that explored dreams and recollections of his childhood. His fascination with the subconscious and the spiritual led him to India in 1973, where he established a studio in Madras (now Chennai). There, he immersed himself in the religious and folk traditions of the country, as well as its traditional art and crafts. He studied Hinduism and became interested in the religious texts at the Theosophical Society of Madras. His experiences in India had a profound impact on his work, leading to collaborations with local miniature painters and the creation of the Francesco Clemente Pinxit series.
Throughout the 1980s, Clemente's work gained international recognition. He moved to New York City in 1982, where he became part of the vibrant art scene and collaborated with artists such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His work from this period is known for its exploration of identity and the human condition, often featuring figures that are at once surreal and deeply personal.
Clemente's art is difficult to categorize, traversing mediums, cultures, artistic movements, and eras while retaining a dream-like quality. His work reflects the influence of diverse cultures, from his native Italy to India, Afghanistan, Egypt, Japan, Brazil, and the Caribbean. He has worked in various artistic media, including drawing, fresco, graphics, mosaic, oils, and sculpture.
A recurring theme in Clemente's art is the body as the boundary between the inner and outer self. His paintings often depict the human form in ways that are both contemplative and symbolic, laden with references to poetry, Tantric arts, European art history, and classical, Hindu, and Buddhist literature. His portraiture efforts have captured a broad range of well-known figures, and he has painted numerous self-portraits throughout his career.
Clemente's work has been presented in numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide. Notable exhibitions include retrospectives at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. His art is featured in many prominent museum collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Miami Art Museum, Kunstmuseum Basel, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Clemente continues to live and work in New York, Chennai, and Varanasi, India. His art continues to evolve, reflecting his nomadic lifestyle and ongoing dialogue with the rituals, practices, and philosophical thought of the cultures he encounters. His recent works include large-scale installations and frescoes that explore autobiographical, historical, spiritual, and mythological subjects.
Francesco Clemente's contributions to contemporary art are significant and enduring. His unique synthesis of Eastern and Western influences, combined with his poetic and metaphysical approach to painting, has established him as a transformative figure in the art world. His work invites viewers to ponder the arcane, address the human condition, and explore the manifold aspects of our physical and metaphysical existence.
Francesco Clemente Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: