Nino Caffè, Italian Abstract Composition, 1960s, Mixed Media on Paper

Nino Caffè, painting on paper, mixed media.

Vestizione di un pretino (Vestments of a Young Priest)
Signed bottom center: Caffè.

Young priests in 1950s Rome were one of Nino Caffè's favorite painting subjects.

This painting, never before on the market, comes from a private collection and is beautified by an impressive frame in laquered wood, in almost perfect condition.
Certificate of authenticity issued by Sabrina Egidi official Expert in Italian furniture for the Chamber of Commerce of Rome and for the Rome Civil Courts.

Nino Caffè was born in Alfedena in Abruzzo in 1909; having completed his primary schooling in L'Aquila, in 1920 his family moved to Ancona, where he received his first painting lessons from Ludovico Spagnolini.
In 1930, he moved to Pesaro and became involved in the lively cultural and artistic life of the city, and got to know various local artists (Bruno Baratti, Werter Bettini, Ciro Cancelli, Alessandro Gallucci, Aldo Pagliacci, Achille Wildi).

As early as 1931 he began to exhibit and in 1938 he took part in the Venice Biennale, where he was awarded a purchase prize by King Vittorio Emanuele III; in 1935 he graduated from the State Institute of Art in Urbino where he taught ‘figura’ in 1943 and 1944.

He spent the war period in Urbino, as a guest of the Benedetti family; it was from their house, located in front of the Cathedral, that he saw the first pretties pass through, a motif that was to characterise his future painting.

He also participated greatly in Urbino's cultural life; in fact, he was a member of the Raphael Academy, from 4 February 1948[1].

The Gianferrari gallery in Milan dedicated a large exhibition to him in 1944. In 1946, in Pesaro, he held a personal exhibition in the gallery of Rossini's birthplace.
The moment of true success began for him: he had a studio in Rome where he was supported by the gallery l'Obelisco, directed by Gaspero del Corso and Irene Brin, who also opened a branch in New York with one of his solo exhibitions. The Metropolitan Museum purchased one of his works.


In 1963 he closed his studio in Rome and returned to Pesaro, although he continued to collaborate with the l'Obelisco gallery. Other galleries, in addition to Gianferrari in Milan, were San Luca in Verona, Vicolo in Genoa, Probibia in Palermo and Zoot in La Spezia.

He alternates his painting production with equally successful engraving production. His work is appreciated by major European and American collectors, consecrating the painter ‘dei pretini’ to international fame.

Nino Caffè died in Pesaro in 1975