Gianfranco Baruchello

Gianfranco Baruchello (1924-2023) was a prominent Italian artist and intellectual in the post-war art scene. Born in Livorno, he developed a multidisciplinary artistic practice encompassing painting, writing, cinema and performance, merging these fields into a unique and autonomous language. Graduating in Law in 1946, Baruchello began experimenting with images and objects in the 1950s, creating personal alphabets of signs and using found materials to build a distinctive expressive system. His art is characterized by a continuous dialogue between image and word, rational and irrational, representation and reality, employing a poetic and analytical approach that challenges traditional art boundaries.
Throughout his long career, Baruchello participated in major international events such as the Venice Biennale and the Rome Quadriennale, exhibiting in prestigious museums. He pioneered innovative techniques like multi-layer plexiglass painting and films made from pre-existing materials. His artistic activity was intertwined with ethical and political reflections, rejecting fashions and trends to maintain a critical and independent stance.
His work was celebrated in significant exhibitions, including "Mondi Possibili" at the Accademia dei Lincei in Villa Farnesina, curated by Carla Subrizi, highlighting his working method based on the concept of "system." Baruchello also founded fictitious companies and experimented with actions blending art and agriculture, demonstrating an interdisciplinary and innovative vision.