Salvatore Emblema

Salvatore Emblema, born in Terzigno at the foot of Mount Vesuvius in 1929 and passed away in 2006, is considered one of the leading masters of Italian contemporary art. His artistic training began at the Academy of Fine Arts in Torre del Greco and the School of Coral, before moving to Rome, where in 1954 he held his first solo exhibition at the Galleria San Marco, curated by Carlo Levi and Ugo Moretti. Emblema is renowned for blending the inspiration of his Campanian roots with an abstract language influenced by American art, developing an original research that distinguishes him in the Italian art scene of the 20th century.
His artistic production is characterized by the innovative use of common materials such as jute and sackcloth, often enriched with colored earths, mineral powders collected at the foot of Vesuvius, and dried leaves, with which he creates the famous “fullografie.” These works, born from a deep connection with nature and territory, opened the doors to major Roman art circles and made him a protagonist in numerous collective and solo exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale in 1980 and the exhibition at Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara in 1979. Over the years, Emblema also developed the iconic “detessiture,” works reflecting his continuous material and conceptual experimentation.
His artistic legacy continues to be studied and appreciated for the quality of his works and his ability to blend tradition and innovation, nature and abstraction, in a unique and recognizable path.