Mario Schifano
Biography
Mario Schifano (1934–1998) was an Italian painter born in Homs, Libya, and later based in Rome, where he became a pivotal figure in postmodern and Italian Pop Art. Renowned for his innovative use of mixed media, Schifano worked with enamel paint, wax crayons, and collage, creating works that often integrated corporate logos like Coca-Cola and Esso as a critique of consumerism and modern life. His early monochrome paintings and experimental approaches positioned him as a vanguard artist in the 1960s.
Schifano exhibited widely, including at the influential "New Realists" show at the Sidney Janis Gallery in New York, alongside Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. His works are part of prestigious public and private collections and continue to be highly sought after in the art market. His painting "Modern Time" achieved a remarkable sale price of €2.302 million at a Sotheby’s auction, reflecting the enduring demand and liquidity of his oeuvre. Schifano remains celebrated for his ability to merge the sensibilities of modernism with an incisive critique of contemporary culture.
