Stefano Di Stasio

Stefano Di Stasio, born in Naples in 1948, is one of the most significant Italian artists of the second half of the 20th century and a leading figure of the Anachronism Movement, theorized by critic Maurizio Calvesi in the 1980s. Di Stasio stands out for his return to figurative painting, in stark contrast to the abstract and minimalist trends of the time, bringing narrative, storytelling, and traditional painting techniques back to the center of art. His birthplace, Naples, is a constant source of thematic and stylistic inspiration, with clear references to the great Baroque tradition of Solimena and Giordano, evident in his powerful chiaroscuro and decisive lighting. After moving to Rome with his family in 1950, Di Stasio lived and worked between the capital and the countryside of Spoleto, developing a personal research that combines historical memory and contemporary suggestions. His artistic career has achieved international recognition: he was featured with a personal room at the Venice Biennales of 1984 and 1995 and participated in the Rome Quadriennales XI, XII, and XIII. His works are part of important public collections, including that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2004-2005, commissioned by the Italian Senate, he painted the portrait of Amintore Fanfani for the permanent collection of Palazzo Madama in Rome. Among his most celebrated pictorial cycles is the one created for the church of Santa Maria della Pace in Terni, designed by Paolo Portoghesi.