Antonio "Toti" Scialoja, born in Rome on December 16, 1914, was a multifaceted Italian artist whose career spanned several decades, marked by a continuous evolution from expressionism to abstract and concrete art. His journey through the realms of painting, poetry, and scenography established him as a significant figure in the Italian abstract art movement. Scialoja's early life was steeped in the cultural milieu of Rome, where he was born into a family that had a different vision for his future, steering him towards classical and legal studies. However, his passion for painting and poetry led him to the Galleria della Cometa, a hub for artists and intellectuals in Rome, where he was influenced by the likes of Corrado Cagli and Libero de Libero. Scialoja's artistic debut was rooted in the Roman School's expressionist and visionary painting, which he showcased in his first solo exhibition at Galleria Genova in 1940. His work during this period was characterized by a strong expressionist style, but it was his encounter with the abstract movement that truly defined his artistic identity. The 1950s marked a significant shift in Scialoja's approach to art. He abandoned the brush for a rag soaked in color, a technique that allowed him to explore the materiality of paint and its gestural possibilities. This period also deepened his connections with prominent artists such as Afro, Burri, and Ettore Colla, and introduced him to the American abstract expressionists like Rothko, de Kooning, and Motherwell during his visit to New York in 1956. Scialoja's experimentation with the "Impronte" series, where shapes were printed on the canvas surface, showcased his innovative approach to abstract art. His work during this time was influenced by his stays in New York and Paris, where he attended lectures by philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty at the Sorbonne. These experiences enriched Scialoja's artistic language, leading to the creation of works that integrated material inlays and spatial fields, exemplified by his "Murale bianco" exhibited at Salon de Mai in Paris. Throughout his career, Scialoja participated in numerous exhibitions, including the Venice Biennales and retrospectives in Rome and abroad. His contributions to the art world were not limited to his paintings; Scialoja was also a respected poet, scenographer, and educator. He began writing poetry in 1961, dedicating part of his work to children and illustrating his own poems. His nonsense and limerick poems revealed another facet of his creative genius. Scialoja's commitment to education was evident in his role as professor and director of the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, where he influenced a generation of contemporary artists, including Mario Ceroli, Pino Pascali, and Jannis Kounellis. His teaching philosophy was rooted in encouraging students to explore their own artistic paths, making him a beloved figure among his pupils. In the latter part of his career, Scialoja returned to gesture painting, inspired by a trip to Madrid and the encounter with Goya's work. This period was marked by intense exhibiting activity, including a personal room at the 1984 Venice Biennale and exhibitions in Italy and abroad. Despite a brief hiatus in the 1970s, Scialoja resumed painting in 1983, continuing to explore abstract forms and expressions until his death in Rome on March 1, 1998. Toti Scialoja's legacy is preserved through his artworks, poetry, and the impact he had on his students and the Italian art scene. His journey from expressionism to abstract art reflects a constant search for new means of expression, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of modern Italian art.

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