ARTIST BIO FEDERICO CASTELLUCCIO
Federico Castelluccio, is an internationally renowned realist painter, art collector and connoisseur of old master, baroque painting. He was born in Naples, Italy and moved to the US in 1968. From an early age it was evident that Federico had talent and an innate ability for drawing and painting and was determined to pursue a life in art.
In 1982 he received a full presidential scholarship to the School of Visual Arts, in New York City, earning a BFA in painting and media arts. At age 17, prior to commencing his studies at SVA, an opportunity arose to paint a portrait for veteran actor, George Burns. Burns loved the painting and was impressed by Federico’s ability to capture his likeness and felt compelled to help the young artists career, by introducing him to executives at PBS, NBC and ABC, all of whom hired the Federico to create paintings and illustrations for their TV programs and publications.
Castelluccio has received many awards for his paintings and has appeared on national talk shows and radio programs regarding his art. He has been featured in numerous magazines and art publications, including American Artist and People Magazine. Various documentaries have been made on his work, including “Night of Hearts”, which focuses on the process, making of and journey of a large figurative painting entitled “Vita”.
Federico was privately commissioned by art benefactor Christine E. Lynn and presented the painting to the Boca Raton Community Hospital in Florida. “Vita” was unveiled on November 16th, 2006 at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
Federico has travelled extensively to Europe for the sole purpose of drawing and painting. He has spent time working in France, Italy and Germany, inspired all along by the European old masters and contemporary realists. Castelluccio’s focus has been mainly on painting the figure and still life, as well as, trompe l’oeil and landscape. He works strictly from life and has drawn praise for his paintings and for his exceptional quality and high level of technical ability.
Castelluccio’s paintings have been exhibited in prestigious galleries throughout the United States and Europe. His works are held in the collections of Palazzo Chigi, in Ariccia, Italy, Yale University Museum of Art, in New Haven, Connecticut, Kresge Art Museum, in East Lansing, Michigan and Tisch Fine Art Collection, NY. His works can be found in major private collections throughout the United States, South America and Europe. In addition, many well known actors and celebrities own Federico’s original work, including, Whoopi Goldberg, Caroline Rhea and Joe Pantoliano, to name a few.
The Kresge Art Museum showed Castelluccio’s paintings in an exhibit titled “Masters of Illusion”. The show highlighted paintings on loan from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Detroit Institute of Arts, including paintings by 19th Century trompe l’oeil masters, John Frederick Peto and William Harnett. One of Castelluccio’s paintings titled, “Torn Titian Taped” was acquired after the exhibit and now hangs in the permanent collection of The Kresge Art Museum, in Michigan.
Castelluccio has lectured at numerous art schools, public events and universities, including Michigan State University and a lecture on Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, at Stony Brook State University, New York. In 2009 he was Master of Ceremony, Honoring Nelson Shanks, at the Union League Club in Philadelphia.
Federico is a passionate collector and connoisseur of old master paintings, early European sculpture and Roman, Greek and Egyptian Antiquities. His collection of 17th century Italian, Baroque paintings, has been highly regarded by scholars, experts and professionals in the art world. He sometimes incorporates artefacts and objects from his collection in his own work.
His most recent Exhibitions include:
AKUS Gallery - Eastern Conneticut State University, a group exhibit, including renowned painters, Nelson Shanks and Vincent Desidero. 2010 - MACC Museo Arte Casa Colombo, Jersey City, NJ, a group exhibit with four artists from Italy. In 2009 Castelluccio painted a portrait of Prince Agostino Chigi, which is on permanent exhibit in the museum at Palazzo Chigi, in Ariccia, Italy, which is also the summer residence of The Pope.