Sandro Chia

"Introduction to Sandro Chia"

Sandro Chia (Florence, 1946) is a central figure of the Italian Transavanguardia, the movement theorized by Achille Bonito Oliva in the late 1970s that marked a decisive return to painting and figuration after the conceptual and minimalist decades. Within this context, Chia developed a monumental and visionary pictorial language, capable of merging myth, historical memory and contemporary imagination into a highly expressive visual form.

Renowned for his large-scale paintings, Chia constructs heroic and archetypal figures suspended between classical citation and dreamlike atmospheres. His energetic brushwork and intense chromatic fields establish a dialogue with European Neo-Expressionism while maintaining a distinctly Mediterranean narrative sensibility.

 

 

Sandro Chia - Galleria Antonio Damiani

Biography of Sandro Chia

Sandro Chia (Florence, 1946) is regarded as one of the leading figures of the Italian Transavanguardia, the movement theorized by Achille Bonito Oliva in the late 1970s that reasserted the centrality of painting and figuration within the international art discourse. In this context, Chia played a pivotal role in redefining the narrative and symbolic potential of contemporary painting.

After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, he moved to Rome, where he developed a distinctive pictorial language marked by monumental figures, dynamic anatomical tensions and intense chromatic constructions. His work merges mythological references, historical memory and painterly tradition, positioning him alongside Francesco Clemente, Enzo Cucchi, Nicola De Maria and Mimmo Paladino among the protagonists of Italian painting in the 1980s.

During the 1980s, Chia settled in New York, entering major international exhibition circuits. His presence in prominent museums and institutional exhibitions consolidated his position within the dialogue between European and American contemporary art. Today his works are held in major public collections, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Tate Modern in London, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome.

Alongside painting, Chia has produced a significant body of sculptural and graphic work, consistently maintaining a focus on the human figure as a symbolic and narrative device. His research remains a key reference point for the study of the Transavanguardia and for the broader understanding of late twentieth-century Italian painting.

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.

Available works by Sandro Chia

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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