Serene
2 min
Amedeo Bocchi
Italy 1883-1976
Amedeo Bocchi was born in the picturesque city of Parma, Italy, where his father worked as a skilled artisan, specializing in painting wall decorations. At the tender age of 12, he joined the prestigious Royal Institute of Fine Arts in Parma to hone his artistic abilities. Upon graduating in 1901, his mentor Barili encouraged the 18-year-old Amedeo to journey to Rome and immerse himself in the city's renowned art scene, further developing his talent at the School of Art. Throughout his illustrious career, Bocchi evolved to become one of the preeminent figures in 20th-century Italian art.
A significant chapter in Bocchi's personal life began when he married in Rome and welcomed his only daughter Bianca in 1908. Tragically, the following year, his wife Rita passed away. The deep bond shared between Amedeo and Bianca would be immortalized through his portraits of her until her untimely death in 1934. The artistic world took notice of Bocchi's talents when two of his paintings were submitted to the iconic Biennale in Venice in 1910. That same year, he achieved further recognition when his "Portrait of Bianca '' won first prize at Monza Exhibition.
Bocchi's influence spread beyond Italy when he became an Academic member of Rome's Accademia di San Luca and had his works recognized internationally alongside Gustav Klimt at Valle Giulia's International Exhibition. In 1916, a wealthy Alsatian collector and benefactor provided Bocchi with a magnificent studio-home within Rome — a sanctuary that would serve as both residence and workplace until his final days. As time progressed, memories became vital sources of inspiration for him, culminating in the poignant series titled "Journey of a Soul." Amedeo Bocchi's unwavering passion for his craft persisted until his death in Rome in December 1976. Today, the Palazzo Sanvitale in Parma stands as a testament to his legacy, housing the Museo Amedeo Bocchi.
We began the lesson by studying and mapping out the features
of the face. The class rendered classic artist sketches that would
provide the foundation for their paintings.
The paintings were done using a combination of paint sticks and
oil pastels to create the skin tones and highlights.