Captivated and troubled
1 January 1898 2 November 1961 Luigi Amato was born in Spezzano Albanese, in the province of Cosenza, on day 1 January 1898 by Francis and Sofia. The early years are marked by numerous events which take place in the family. Remains lost his mother at the age of five and only the profound love of the father help him to overcome this terrible separation. The Beloved is a family of builders and Luigi grows next to father following him in the various construction sites. It is here that Francis, as a good draughtsman himself, understands the talents of his son watching him paint with bold lines the faces of the masons and the things surrounding it, expressing in drawing all his youthful emotions. And so begins the artistic career of this extraordinary painter who learns from her father the first elements of drawing and geometry. Fix on paper a face marked by time and effort, draw a mom suckling her baby surrounded by other children who wish they too of affection and food, are only some aspects of that country world of his native Calabria. It is life that is set to be remembered in his tragedy, in his everyday life. Luigi Amato knows how to seize the fleeting moment highlighting the fair melancholy of his homeland. Knows how to make lives face expressions, the depth of the eyes: his designs are severe because strict and proud is its people. Everybody raptly in being portraits, everybody feels important, all make you continue uncommon talents intuiting and admiring its earnestness. He was only 14 years old he won a scholarship of the Calabria region for the most promising young artists, with whom he goes to study in Rome at the Royal Institute of fine arts in Via di Ripetta. Under the guidance of eminent masters of the time, including Umberto Coronaldi and Duilio Cambellotti, he devoted himself to the study of the figure. In 1916 is called to arms and, after many vicissitudes in war, in 1918 may fall to Rome to continue his interrupted studies and pursue a career as an artist. In November 1920, under the good wishes of Ferdinand and Gennaro Cargill which in him believe and trust appreciating the artistic talent, he mounted a solo exhibition at the Circle Formation and culture of Spezzano Albanese, his country of birth, getting a unanimous recognition for the accuracy and correctness of airlines, to the exquisite taste, characteristic and vigorous effects of light and shade. In Rome the name of Luigi Amato begins to get noticed, in "good" of the capital, as a portraitist increasingly appreciated. Driven by his friend Trilussa, in January 1925 organizing a solo show at the Italian American Association in Palazzo Salviati: all daily newspapers and most severe critics are interested in him, the audience gathers around the young artist decreeing the success. A short time later a his pastel exhibited at the Biennale, is rewarded and again praised by critics. Established as a safe and refined taste, sensitive interpreter, Luigi Amato was invited in 1938 in England to perform portraits between English and Scottish people in high society. A huge success, exceeding all expectations, extended his stay in London making it work continuously. Stimulated by the events decidedly favorable, organizes a solo exhibition at the "Arlington Gallery in Bond Street and on that occasion the English customers agree agree unanimously appointing him a member of the Pastel Society". Almost simultaneously a pastel, "little Calabria" exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais, on the recommendation of the art critic Henry Maistre gets a "Mention Honorable", also this coveted award of its high ability in the difficult technique of pastel. When the war of World War II opposed Italy to England, wants to return to his country to be in Rome with his wife Marcella and son Francis. Despite the horror of war that you crashing down on the capital, his work does not decrease. More and more esteemed, the most famous figures of the portraits are sorted by time: Mussolini, Taggart, Federzoni, De Bono, Lessona, Igliori, white, Gary ... and portraits of Sir Roman upper class, but the highest honor he was awarded by the armed forces of Barberini Palace when the commissioned portraits of the King and Queen of Italy. Such is the success of these two portraits (of which unfortunately remains just a memory photo) that Queen Elena asks Luigi Amato to a copy in order to expose in its private rooms. On October 28, 1939, on a proposal from the Union Minister for East Africa, is knighted in the order of the Crown of Italy, with the following decree in the Official Gazette of February 3, 1940. Throughout the second world war, Luigi Amato continues his work as an artist with the inner strength that sustains him and, not wishing to be bound by the dictates of the regime, facing an adventurous trip, catches up with the whole family home, in her Break away from the daily horrors of cities now have become uninhabitable. Here are the most beautiful, and certainly the most important, that immortalize the pride of the people of Calabria, the warmth of hearth and home, the resignation of the elderly, the melancholy hope in the faces of the children. And it is here that Luigi Amato is preparing a solo exhibition that opened in Rome on April 28, 1943 San Marco Gallery in Via del Babbuino; This exhibition is famous because in just 24 hours are sold all sixty exhibits, oils and pastels: a record perhaps unmatched by anybody and whose press writes profusely. King Victor Emmanuel, accompanied by the First aide-de-camp General Struts, honour the artist with a visit to the exhibition itself, and congratulates the beloved and acquainted and affix his signature in the register of visitors. In the years following the end of the conflict, not feeling more at ease in disordered and chaotic post-war Rome, decided in 1948 to relocate on the island of Capri, where he opened his own studio and where he painted numerous portraits of Italian and foreign personalities who come to find it from everywhere. In Capri, in communion with the beautiful natural surroundings, Luigi Amato feels which really wants to be: free from all worldly ties and ready to satisfy fully the creative self. The Islanders provide the theme of his inspiration that gives rise to the most beautiful works: figures of children, the elderly and women he encounters little streets of Capri and Anacapri. It is certainly the interpreter of feminine beauty of our time, felt by an artist who can grasp the essential characteristics, stripping it from all transience. In the faces of old people, children, women are always and especially the soul which manifests itself with so much natural strength to leave the viewer captivated and troubled. Conquered the international market, sends his pictures abroad by selecting gallery owners that they request it: New York, Chicago, Paris, London, Lucerne, Vienna, Stockholm, Johannesburg. His paintings, beaten by auction houses one of the most famous in the world, constitute today a rare document. It is precisely in Capri that reinforces the ancient friendship that binds him to Ezelino Briante, whimsical and talented painter, housed him at his studio and sharing with him the passion for art and the island itself. And the painters "Capri" like Felice Giordano, Mario Laboccetta, Guido Odierna, Ugo and Tullia Matania, Raffaele Castle, Karthik T, the huddle around with sincere friendship appreciating in his art the ability to grasp the essence of things, to penetrate into the soul of the people and know that expressing in his paintings. Performs his pictures in order more absolute and into the quiet solitude of his island home, "Villa nice smile". It's amiable and gregarious character and likes to converse in good company, always ready to take care of those who need help and advice. Lover of the conversation, his studio is frequented by writers and journalists, personalities from the world of culture, entertainment and music, by politicians and celebrities. Generous mood, doesn't skimp on its help to ordinary people who request him becoming a reference point for anyone who needs it. Encourages and helps the "postman painter" Torelli; gives the first few brushes and colors to the naïve painter "Carmelina di Capri". Luigi Amato is a great worker. Spends his whole life for art: the happiest are those who spends hours in his studio between characters shaped by his imagination. Does not give much credence to the voice of the critics, because you don't believe in certain judgments that usually know very little about the difficult craft of painting; don't like the big advertisement that is appropriate to the seriousness of the art and to the dignity of the artist. A brief and cruel illness takes in the best moment of his artistic genius and its working capacity. Luigi Amato doesn't like the crowds, but ironically, he died in Rome on November 2, 1961.