Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Bruno Caruso Biography
Bruno Caruso was born on August 8, 1927, in Palermo, Sicily, into a world recovering from the ravages of World War I and on the brink of further global upheaval. From an early age, Caruso was immersed in the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Sicily, an island that has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia. Under the stern gaze of his father, he began painting as early as age five, copying works of the ancient masters, particularly those of Leonardo da Vinci, Mantegna, and Pisanello. This early exposure to the classics laid the foundation for Caruso's lifelong engagement with art as both a creator and a critic of society.
Caruso's formal education was in Classics, which he pursued at the University until his studies were interrupted by World War II. The war, with its profound human and cultural losses, deeply affected Caruso and inspired his first personal collection, 'A Study Of Disaster'. This early work already hinted at the themes that would dominate his oeuvre: the critique of political power, the exploration of human suffering, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
In the immediate post-war period, Caruso embarked on a journey that would take him through Paris, Prague, Munich, and Vienna. During these travels, he befriended luminaries such as Thomas Mann and Jean Paul Sartre, and completed his second collection inspired by George Grosz entitled 'Deutschland uber alles'. These experiences broadened Caruso's horizons and deepened his commitment to using art as a means of social critique.
Upon returning to Sicily, Caruso became involved in the local peasants' fight for the rights to unoccupied land, a struggle that became the subject of his third collection. This period of his life was marked by an active engagement in the cultural emancipation of Sicily, efforts to contain the rise of the Mafia, and attempts to halt political corruption. His work in a Palermitan psychiatric unit during the 1950s produced a damning study on the conditions of the wards and the use of medieval curing techniques, contributing to a complete overhaul of the system.
The 1960s saw Caruso's focus shift to America, where much of his work had already gained recognition. His experiences in the United States, including a private exhibition curated by cosmetics industrialist Helena Rubenstein and profiles in Fortune, Life & Harpers Bazaar, were formative. However, as a card-carrying Communist, Caruso's relationship with the States grew ever more strained, particularly in light of the moon landings, which he saw as a gross misuse of public funds, and the abuses of power he witnessed, including the Vietnam War.
Throughout his life, Caruso rubbed shoulders with the men who most influenced modern times, from Pablo Picasso to Chagall, Ho Chi Minh to Pan Van Dong, Antonioni to Fellini. Yet, as the promise of Communism flickered and died, Caruso found himself in an ideological vacuum. His later works, focusing on flower baskets and Roman ruins, though popular, lacked the fire of his earlier indignation and wonder.
Bruno Caruso passed away on November 4, 2018, at the age of 91. His legacy, however, endures in his vast body of work that spans painting, illustration, and printmaking. Caruso was not just an artist; he was a visionary who used his talent to challenge the status quo, to expose the moral, political, and ethical flaws of the 20th century, and to advocate for a more just and humane world. His art remains a powerful testament to the role of the artist as a social critic and a relentless seeker of truth.
Bruno Caruso 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: