Francesco Clemente in San Francisco holding his self-portrait at Nash Editions. Credit: Photo by Sally Larson via Wikipedia.
Francesco Clemente is a prominent Italian artist known for his eclectic and deeply expressive approach to painting. His art blends various cultural influences with a unique exploration of spirituality and the human psyche, creating pieces that are both visually striking and thought-provoking.
Biography
Francesco Clemente, born on March 23, 1952, is a distinguished Italian artist and book publisher. His career has spanned various locations including Italy, India, and New York City, with each place influencing his artistic evolution. His production is notably shaped by the traditional art and cultural practices of India, among other influences. Clemente's artistic repertoire is diverse, encompassing drawing, fresco, graphics, mosaic, oils, and sculpture. He was a leading figure in the Italian Transavanguardia movement of the 1980s, which was marked by a shift away from Formalism and conceptual art towards a revival of figurative art and Symbolism. Clemente also played a significant role as co-publisher of Hanuman Books from 1986 to 1993.
Clemente was born in Naples, Campania, in southern Italy, in 1952. His early education took him to the Faculty of Architecture at Sapienza University in Rome in 1970, although he did not complete his degree there. During his time in Rome, Clemente encountered several contemporary artists, including Luigi Ontani and Alighiero Boetti, who had recently arrived in the city. He also met the American artist Cy Twombly, who was residing in Rome at the time. Boetti, who was a decade older than Clemente, became both a mentor and a close friend; their relationship led to a collaborative trip to Afghanistan in 1974. Clemente, alongside Ontani, also performed at the Galleria L'Attico. Although he engaged with artists associated with the Arte Povera movement and was influenced by figures such as Pino Pascali and Michelangelo Pistoletto, Clemente maintained a preference for working on paper. His early creations included ink drawings of his dreams and childhood memories. In 1971, he held his first Display at the Galleria Giulia in Rome, showcasing a series of collages.
In 1973, Clemente made his first of many visits to India, which significantly impacted his artistic practice. He set up a studio in Madras (now Chennai), where he developed an interest in the country’s religious and folk traditions, as well as its traditional art and crafts. Between 1976 and 1977, Clemente studied religious texts at the library of the Theosophical Society in Madras. His time in India also led to the creation of Francesco Clemente Pinxit, a series of twenty-four gouaches on antique handmade rag paper, completed in collaboration with miniature painters from Orissa and Jaipur in 1980 and 1981.
In 1982, Clemente relocated to New York City, where he became deeply involved in the city's vibrant art scene. He continued to live and work in Greenwich Village, where his experiences in India and his interactions with influential artists contributed to his evolving style. His contributions to the Italian Transavanguardia movement and his diverse use of artistic media have cemented his place in the art world.
Style and recognition
Clemente is associated with the Transavantgarde movement, which emerged in Italy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This movement sought to revive the expressive and emotional qualities of art, contrasting with the conceptual and minimal art that dominated the era. Clemente’s style is characterized by its vibrant colors, symbolic imagery, and a blending of Eastern and Western philosophies. His production often explores themes of mysticism, identity, and the subconscious, featuring a wide range of subjects from surreal portraits to allegorical scenes.
Francesco Clemente's art has enjoyed widespread exposure and acclaim across the globe. His early large-scale canvases, created between 1981 and 1982, were first showcased in 1983 at the Whitechapel Gallery in London. These pieces were subsequently exhibited in Germany and Sweden, marking the beginning of his international recognition.
In 1986, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, organized a traveling exposition dedicated to Clemente's work, further establishing his presence in the art world. His involvement in prestigious art events continued with multiple participations in the Biennale di Venezia, including the years 1988, 1993, 1995, and 1997. Additionally, he took part in documenta, held in Kassel, Germany, in 1992 and 1997, and featured in the Whitney Biennial in 1997.
Clemente's Showcases have been held at several notable institutions. In 1990, the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosted a show, followed by the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1991. His creation was also highlighted at the Sezon Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo in 1994 and the Galleria d'Arte Moderna in Bologna in 1999. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York presented his production in 2000, while the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli in Naples featured his pieces from 2002 to 2003. Other significant shows included the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin in 2004, Palazzo Sant'Elia in Palermo, Sicily in 2013, and both the Coro della Maddalena in Alba and Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, Italy, in 2016. More recently, the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showcased his work in 2017.
In 1998, Clemente’s art was prominently featured in the film Great Expectations, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, further extending his influence beyond the traditional art world.
Most Famous Masterpieces
The Fourteen Stations of the Cross (1986): A series of paintings that reinterpret the traditional Christian Stations of the Cross with a innovative and personal perspective.
The Black Paintings (1989-1990): A collection that explores the depths of the human condition through dark, evocative imagery.
Self-Portrait as a Young Man (1985): A reflective and introspective self-portrait that exemplifies Clemente’s engagement with identity and self-exploration.
The Indian Series (1983): A set of pieces influenced by Clemente’s experiences in India, featuring vibrant colors and motifs from Indian art and spirituality.
Shows and Market
Clemente’s art has been featured in major exhibitions worldwide, including the Venice Biennale, the MOMA in New York, and the Tate in London. His art is highly regarded in the market, with significant pieces fetching impressive sums at auctions. His contributions to contemporary art have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the art world, known for his bold vision and diverse influences.
Francesco Clemente's work has been showcased extensively around the globe, underscoring his prominence in art. In 1999, the Guggenheim Museum in New York held a major retrospective of Clemente’s career, significantly enhancing his reputation as a leading artist. Since this pivotal exposition , the demand for his creations, particularly his distinctive portraits featuring subjects—often notable cultural figures—with exaggerated eyes, has continued to rise.
In a notable event this past May, Clemente achieved a new milestone at auction with the sale of The Fourteen Stations, No. XI (1981-82), which was part of the Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann. This iconic piece sold for $1,860,000, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $80,000.
Clemente's displays have been held at several prestigious institutions. Apart from the Guggenheim Museum, his production has been featured in shows at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Sezon Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, and the Galleria d'Arte Moderna in Bologna, among others.
The highest-selling painting by Francesco Clemente is The Fourteen Stations, No. XI (1981-1982). This artwork achieved a sale price of $1,860,000 at a Christie's auction held in New York on May 9, 2022.
Artists Inspired by Clemente
Several artists may have been inspired by Clement's creation, including those influenced by his exploration of spirituality and multicultural themes. Artists such as Francesco Vezzoli and Damien Hirst may have recognized Clement's impact on their artistic practices, particularly in terms of integrating personal and cultural narratives into their works.
Curiosities
Few people know that Clemente spent time in India, where he immersed himself in local traditions and spiritual practices. This experience profoundly influenced his artistic style, leading to a fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions. Additionally, Clemente has collaborated with poets and musicians, integrating different forms of artistic expression into his art.
Francesco Clemente remains a vital and influential figure in art. His eclectic style, rooted in the Transavantgarde movement and enriched by his experiences across cultures, has produced a body of work that challenges and inspires. Clemente’s art continues to explore the depths of human experience through vibrant, symbolic imagery, securing his place as a visionary artist of our time.
Selena Mattei
