Vico Calabrò, born on April 27, 1938, in Agordo, in the Italian province of Belluno, is a renowned painter and fresco artist known for his significant contribution to the development of fresco art.
He grew up in the Cadore region, where from a young age, he had the opportunity to engage with art and local artists. He actively participated in exhibitions and competitions, which solidified his passion for painting. After completing his academic studies, he decided to fully dedicate himself to art. One of his mentors was the distinguished painter Bruno Saetti, who supported him and often invited him to his home in Montepiano, in the Apennines.
Between 1965 and 1969, he worked as an art teacher in Cadore. During this time, in collaboration with Nazareno Corsini, he created the Stations of the Cross for the parish church in Dosoledo, which became his first significant public work. He gained experience in wall painting by executing a fresco on the façade of the Pellizzaroli House in Santo Stefano di Cadore.
The year 1974 was a turning point in his career, as he delved deeper into fresco painting, which became his greatest passion. His first frescoes in this field were created in the Sanctuary of Saints Vittore and Corona in Feltre. Since then, he has pursued this technique intensively, creating frescoes not only in Italy but also in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, and Brazil.
For sixteen years, he served as the artistic coordinator of mural projects in Cibiana di Cadore, as well as of the Fresco Laboratory in Treglio. He also shared his expertise by leading workshops and courses at prestigious institutions, including the European Center in San Servolo in Venice, and the Academies of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Łódź, Utrecht, Olot, San Luis Potosí, and Vibo Valentia.
His works can be found in numerous public and private collections, including the renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which holds his 1974 etching "Dobra robota" (Good Work).
In 2018, celebrating his 80th birthday, the artist marked the occasion in Cibiana di Cadore, a place particularly dear to him. Thanks to his initiative, this picturesque village became known as the "village of murals", attracting artists from around the world who adorned its buildings with frescoes.
In 2024, Calabrò plans to commemorate 50 years of his work in fresco painting. As part of these celebrations, he intends to visit several significant locations, including the San Marco Monastery in Florence, where the works of his artistic inspiration, Beato Angelico, are preserved.
His work is distinguished not only by technical mastery but also by deep sensitivity and introspection. His life and artistic contributions have become an integral part of the history of contemporary fresco painting, and his influence on the development of this art form remains invaluable.
