Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Salvatore Fiume Biography
Salvatore Fiume was an Italian painter, sculptor, architect, writer, and stage designer, whose multifaceted talents and profound impact on the art world have left an indelible mark. Born on October 23, 1915, in Comiso, Sicily, Fiume's passion for art was evident from a young age. His dedication and talent were recognized early on when, at the age of sixteen, he won a scholarship to the Royal Institute for Book Illustration in Urbino. It was here that he honed his skills in various printing techniques, including lithography, serigraphy, etching, and xylography, setting the foundation for his diverse artistic career.
After completing his studies in Urbino, Fiume moved to Milan in 1936, where he immersed himself in the city's vibrant literary and artistic circles. He became friends with notable figures such as Dino Buzzati and Salvatore Quasimodo, the latter of whom would go on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1959. Fiume's early career was marked by his role as the artistic director of the cultural magazine "Tecnica e organizzazione," owned by Adriano Olivetti, in Ivrea. This position allowed him to explore his interests in art and literature further, eventually leading him to publish his first successful literary work, "Viva Gioconda!," in 1943.
Despite his literary success, Fiume's true passion lay in painting. In 1946, he made a decisive move to Canzo, near Como, where he transformed a 19th-century spinning mill into his studio and home. This period marked a significant shift in his career as he began to focus exclusively on painting, sculpture, and architectural design. Fiume's work during this time was deeply influenced by the Italian Quattrocento, metaphysical painting, and the Spanish tradition and folklore. His unique style and innovative approach to art quickly garnered attention, leading to his first solo gallery exhibition at Galleria Borromini in Milan in 1949.
Fiume's artistic achievements are vast and varied. He was invited by Gio Ponti to create a large-scale painting for the Andrea Doria cruise ship in 1949, and his works have been showcased in some of the most prestigious museums worldwide, including the Vatican Museums, the Hermitage of Saint Petersburg, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Pushkin Museum of Moscow, and the Modern Art Gallery of Milan. Fiume's contributions to art extend beyond painting and sculpture; he was also a prolific stage designer, creating sets for major opera houses across Europe, including the Teatro alla Scala of Milan, the Covent Garden of London, and the Teatro dell'opera of Rome.
Throughout his career, Fiume remained a nonconformist, constantly experimenting with new styles and mediums. His work in the 1970s, for example, included a beautification project for the Calabrian village plaza of Fiumefreddo Bruzio, showcasing his ability to blend art with public spaces. Fiume's dedication to his craft continued until 1995, when health issues, attributed to his use of caustic paints and other mediums on large-scale projects, finally kept him from working. He passed away in Milan on June 3, 1997.
Salvatore Fiume's legacy is that of a visionary artist who transcended the boundaries of traditional art forms. His work, characterized by a deep understanding of historical art movements and a unique ability to reinterpret them in contemporary contexts, continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world. Fiume's life and career were a testament to the power of creativity, innovation, and the enduring impact of art on society.
Salvatore Fiume 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: