Among the refined pleasures that La Dolce Vita can offer, art—particularly contemporary art—is certainly one of the most exquisite. There are few living Italian painters capable of evoking profound emotions and recognized internationally for their mastery. One of them is undoubtedly Andrea Benetti, who in 2006 presented the Manifesto of Neo-Cave Art at the Venice Biennale.
In a world overwhelmed by consumerism and materialism, superficiality and falsehood, the artist, who was shaped by Bologna’s cultural environment and whose works are now featured worldwide, revives the concept of a return to origins, based on abstraction, the simplicity of the past, creative freedom, and the pursuit of the essence of things.
“My paintings follow different paths: some are deeply inspired by the first cave paintings created by primitive humans”, explains Andrea, currently preparing an exhibition in Bari in February, followed by another in Ascoli. “Others can be considered more modern—a sort of homage to the art of that era. Then there are paintings that lean toward abstraction, and finally, those that are even more contemporary, in which I envision a primordial painting adapted to the present day.”
Delicate colors, forms, lines, masterful technique, clean strokes, and a sense of lightness—Benetti’s works have swiftly captured the contemporary art scene, finding their way into the homes of collectors and enthusiasts, as well as into public collections, thanks to the profound positive emotions they convey every time they are admired.
His most recent acquisitions, made last year, enriched the Art Collection of the Chamber of Deputies at Palazzo Montecitorio, the MAMbo – Museum of Modern Art of Bologna, and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in Buenos Aires. In previous years, Benetti’s signature had already entered the Museion Collection in Bolzano, the Quirinal Art Collection, and even the UN Collection. However, one of his most celebrated paintings remains Homage to Karol Wojtyła, gifted personally to the Pope and now housed in the Vatican Collections.
“I often collaborate with artists from different fields, especially music, as my past is closely linked to that world,” says Benetti, whose Bologna studio is filled with artworks in a thousand colors and various dimensions. “A close friend with whom I frequently organize events across Italy is Frank Nemola, the historic musician from Vasco Rossi’s band.”
Thus, Andrea Benetti’s art can be considered a fusion of sensory perceptions, in which the underlying philosophy plays a fundamental role. One of his most successful projects is “Unconventional Exploration Within Speed,” consisting of twelve paintings and a book, published and promoted by the Museum of Italian Contemporary Art in America (MACIA).
Certainly one of the most sought-after painters of the moment, Andrea Benetti not only has a personal website but also a Digital Legal Archive for the Protection and Cataloging of his works, accessible online.