Sandro Chia

"Introduction to Sandro Chia"

Sandro Chia (1946) is a leading figure in Italian and international art, recognized as one of the founding protagonists of the Transavanguardia movement theorized by Achille Bonito Oliva in the late 1970s. His work marks a clear return to figurative painting after his experiences with conceptual and minimalist art. Chia is renowned for his large-scale canvases, populated by heroic and archetypal figures often set in mythological or dreamlike atmospheres. His subjects are often massive, sensual, and melancholic men, fishermen, wrestlers, or Dionysian figures. Technically, Chia's style is exuberant, dynamic, and deliberately "incorrect," combining the expressive force of Neo-Expressionism with classical references and a bold use of color.

Sandro Chia - Galleria Antonio Damiani

Biography of Sandro Chia

Sandro Chia (Florence, 1946) is considered one of the major exponents of the Italian Transavanguardia, a movement that in the late 1970s, thanks to the criticism of Achille Bonito Oliva, restored energy and visibility to contemporary Italian painting after years dominated by conceptual and minimal art.

After training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Chia moved to Rome, where he developed an innovative figurative language: monumental figures, vigorous lines, and intense colors that blend myth, history, and contemporary imagery. This stylistic signature quickly made him recognizable and placed him alongside Francesco Clemente, Enzo Cucchi, Nicola De Maria, and Mimmo Paladino as a leading figure in Italian painting of the 1980s.

In the 1980s, Chia settled in New York, firmly establishing himself on the international circuit. His solo exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum established him as one of the world's most acclaimed Italian artists. Today, his works are held in leading institutions, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Tate Modern in London, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna in Rome.

Alongside painting, Sandro Chia devotes himself to sculpture and ceramics, always maintaining the visionary power that characterizes his research. His works represent an essential point of reference in Italian contemporary art and continue to attract collectors and museums around the world.

Sandro Chia in the museums of the world

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Guggenheim Museum, New York
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York
Tate Modern, London
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
Centre Pompidou, Paris
Rivoli Castle, Turin
National Gallery of Modern Art, Rome
Museum of Contemporary Art of Prato (Pecci Center)

Solo and group exhibitions

Venice Biennale (1980, 1984, 1989)Documenta 7, Kassel (1982)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1984)
Guggenheim Museum, New York (1984)
Rivoli Castle, Turin (1984)
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (1983)
Centre Pompidou, Paris (1984)
Retrospectives and solo exhibitions in Europe, the United States, and Asia in the years 2000-2020

Galleria Antonio Damiani is pleased to present the work of Sandro Chia, a key figure in the Transavanguardia movement and contemporary Italian art. Our selection offers insight into an artist who has shaped the history of painting over the past fifty years, making each of his works a key element of international collecting.

Sandro Chia: Market Analysis, Style, and Value of the Italian Transavanguardia

Sandro Chia was a leading figure in the Italian Transavanguardia (a movement pioneered by Achille Bonito Oliva), which, in the late 1970s, heralded a return to figurative painting and expressive gesture. His work is characterized by heroic or mythological figures, often painted with a bold, vibrant brushstroke reminiscent of historical Expressionism. His canvases, brimming with references to art history and popular culture, celebrate the pleasure of pictorial narrative.

Value Drivers: Large Figurative Canvases and Expressive Gesture

The most valuable works are the large-format oil paintings, created during the heyday of the Transavanguardia (1980s), where the subject (often a man in a dreamlike or heroic landscape) and color reach their peak expressive power. Narrative force, size, and historical provenance are the main factors that determine the price.

Authenticity and Guarantees: Archive Verification and Artist Authentication

Authenticity is crucial for Chia's works. Galleria Damiani only deals in works with impeccable provenance. Their safety and authenticity are guaranteed by official documentation, often based on photographic authentication issued by the artist or his studio, which certifies the work's correct cataloging and dating.

From Specialist Consulting to Sales

From Figurative Analysis to Correct Quotation: Chia's market is stable and requires specific expertise to distinguish between graphic works (prints) and unique paintings, identifying the most significant series. To obtain an expert and confidential appraisal of his works or to request advice on your investment, please contact him.

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