Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio, born on November 11, 1974, is a highly acclaimed American actor and film producer, known for his exceptional work in biographical and period films. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. As of 2019, the total worldwide box office earnings of his films have surpassed an impressive $7.2 billion, and he has consistently ranked among the top-paid actors globally, securing a place in annual rankings on eight occasions.
Hailing from Los Angeles, DiCaprio commenced his professional journey during the late 1980s, making appearances in TV advertisements. Throughout the early 1990s, he secured recurring roles in diverse television series, including the sitcom Parenthood, and eventually landed his breakthrough cinematic role as author Tobias Wolff in the movie "This Boy's Life" (1993). His portrayal of a developmentally disabled boy in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993) garnered him widespread acclaim from critics and earned him his inaugural nominations for both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award.
DiCaprio attained worldwide fame through his captivating performances in the star-crossed love stories "Romeo + Juliet" (1996) and "Titanic" (1997), the latter of which became the highest-grossing film of its time. Following the immense success of "Titanic," he opted to take a lighter workload for a few years. In an endeavor to break free from the typecast of a romantic heartthrob, DiCaprio actively pursued roles in different genres, leading to his involvement in crime dramas like "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) and "Gangs of New York" (2002). The latter movie marked the start of his fruitful collaborations with the esteemed director Martin Scorsese.
Throughout his career, DiCaprio continued to deliver outstanding performances, earning praise for his work in films like the biopic "The Aviator" (2004), the political thriller "Blood Diamond" (2006), the crime drama "The Departed" (2006), and the romantic drama "Revolutionary Road" (2008). In subsequent years, he took on environmental documentaries and starred in several successful projects, including the action thriller "Inception" (2010), the western "Django Unchained" (2012), the biographical film "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013), and the survival drama "The Revenant" (2015), for which he received the Academy Award for Best Actor. More recently, DiCaprio's notable works include the comedy-drama "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019) and the film "Don't Look Up" (2021).
Beyond his contributions to the film industry, DiCaprio is an active advocate for environmental causes. He founded Appian Way Productions, a production company involved in producing some of his films and the documentary series "Greensburg" (2008-2010). Additionally, he established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting environmental awareness. His dedication to environmental advocacy led to his appointment as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and he consistently supports various charitable initiatives. For his contributions to the arts, he was honored as a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2005 and was recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Furthermore, DiCaprio's remarkable talents and impact on cinema earned him a spot in Empire magazine's 2022 readers' poll as one of the 50 greatest actors of all time.
Leonardo di Caprio as an art collector
Leonardo DiCaprio, the renowned actor with a profound appreciation for art, has become known for his keen eye in discovering emerging artists and building a remarkable collection of artworks over time. Additionally, he is often spotted participating in significant auction events, offering his presence and support behind the scenes. Notably, he attended the impressive $248 million Contemporary Art Sale at Christie's in November 2011 and the remarkable $219 million Impressionist and Modern Art Sale at Sotheby's in May 2014.
Recently, Leonardo DiCaprio made a new addition to his art collection, acquiring a 1973 piece created by Frank Stella. In May 2013, he successfully acquired a painting by Takashi Murakami at a Christie's auction, which he personally orchestrated. DiCaprio has held a long-standing admiration for the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat and, more recently, for Ed Ruscha. Notably, his childhood memories involve a strong connection to cartoonists Robert Williams and Robert Crumb. Moreover, as a testament to his esteemed position in the art world, DiCaprio had the honor of sitting for a portrait by the talented artist Elizabeth Peyton.
How did your passion come about?
It seems that Leonardo DiCaprio's fascination with art began even before he was born, as his interest in it was apparent from his time in his mother's womb. His name itself, "Leonardo," was inspired by the renowned painter Leonardo da Vinci, as an anecdote tells that DiCaprio's pregnant mother first felt him kicking while she stood in front of one of da Vinci's paintings. This early connection to art may have left a lasting impact on him.
DiCaprio's deep-rooted connection to art is further evident from one of his earliest memories, where he recalls the painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch hanging above his crib. This artwork played a significant role in shaping his early experiences and appreciation for artistic expressions. Together, these instances reflect the profound influence that art has had on DiCaprio's life and contribute to his genuine passion for the creative world.
Some names from his collection
Despite keeping some of his early art purchases private, Leonardo DiCaprio's passion for collecting renowned artworks is well-known. One of his first acquisitions was a Jean-Michel Basquiat drawing, a piece that remains undisclosed to the public. DiCaprio has expressed great admiration for Basquiat, along with other influential artists like Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente, and Julian Schnabel, who played a significant role in shaping his understanding of art during the 1980s.
In 2011, DiCaprio made headlines when he secured Salvador Dalí's Surrealist painting "Chevalier" at a Christie's auction in New York City, making a remarkable purchase for $1.2 million. That same year, he also invested $400,000 in Oscar Murillo's "Under the Influence" and later acquired "Nachlass" by the Brooklyn-based artist Jean-Pierre Roy.
DiCaprio's diverse art collection boasts a small drawing from 1939 by the iconic Pablo Picasso titled "Fillette." Additionally, he possesses works such as "The Tigress" by Walton Ford, "Untitled (Drawings off the wall)" by Murillo, and Takashi Murakami's "Mononoke." The actor even used his private collection to contribute to charitable causes, hosting "The 11th Hour" charity auction in 2013 to support environmental initiatives. Some of the artworks displayed in this auction included Mark Grotjahn's "Untitled (Standard Lotus No.11, Bird of Paradise, Tiger Mouth Face 44.01)" and Andreas Gursky's "Ocean V." Furthermore, a portrait of DiCaprio himself, painted by Elizabeth Peyton, was sold for an impressive $1 million during the same event.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, a prominent figure in 1980s New York City's art scene, stands as one of the most notable artists in Leonardo DiCaprio's art collection. Basquiat's artistic creations often delve into themes of race, politics, and social justice, and his signature graffiti-inspired style has achieved an iconic status in the contemporary art world. In 2005, DiCaprio reportedly acquired Basquiat's renowned painting "Red Man One" for a staggering $9.9 million, cementing its position as a centerpiece in his esteemed collection. The artwork showcases Basquiat's distinctive motifs of skulls and crosses, brought to life with bold, expressive strokes in red, black, and white.
Another noteworthy artist represented in DiCaprio's collection is Banksy, the elusive street artist renowned for his thought-provoking and socially critical works. Banksy's stenciled murals and installations have gained immense recognition in the realm of street art, with his true identity remaining an enigma. In 2015, DiCaprio reportedly acquired one of Banksy's most famous pieces, "Trolley Hunters," for $1.3 million. This artwork serves as a commentary on consumer culture, portraying a group of hunter-gatherers chasing after a shopping cart, symbolizing the absurdity of modern society's materialistic obsessions.
Ed Ruscha, an artist known for his pop art-inspired paintings and prints, also finds a place in DiCaprio's esteemed collection. Ruscha's works explore American culture and the American West, often featuring vivid colors and bold, graphic lettering. DiCaprio reportedly owns several works by Ruscha, including "Ace," a screenprint from 1987 portraying a playing card and dice in Ruscha's characteristic bold style.
Additionally, KAWS, whose real name is Brian Donnelly, has prominently featured in DiCaprio's collection in recent years. KAWS, a former street artist turned fine artist, incorporates pop culture characters like the Simpsons or SpongeBob SquarePants into his works, rendered in a distinct, cartoonish style. DiCaprio reportedly owns several KAWS sculptures, including "Companion (Passing Through)," a 16-foot-tall sculpture that was displayed in New York's Times Square in 2010.
Beyond his passion for art, DiCaprio is widely recognized for his dedication to environmental causes. He utilizes his influence to raise awareness about critical issues such as climate change, wildlife conservation, and sustainable energy. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by the actor, is devoted to promoting environmental consciousness and safeguarding the planet's natural resources. DiCaprio has also leveraged his art collection to advocate for environmental causes, using exhibitions and events to draw attention to pressing environmental issues.
In addition to his fascination with fine art, DiCaprio also indulges in collecting vintage movie posters, and he possesses an original poster of "Metropolis" by Heinz Schulz-Neudamm, which he acquired for a significant sum of $690,000. He has shown interest in other collectibles as well, such as fossils and rare books, including a prized Torvosaurus skull.
Overall, Leonardo DiCaprio's art collection mirrors his diverse interests and unwavering support for contemporary art and artists. It houses works by influential artists spanning various styles and genres. In conjunction with his commitment to art, DiCaprio's advocacy for environmental causes underscores his profound concern for the planet's future and his dedication to making a positive impact on the world.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
