Cleto Munari, designer and patron of artists, dies at 95

Cleto Munari, who was born in Gorizia in 1930 and passed away in Vicenza in 2026, was a notable commissioner, merchant, and artist. His career took a pivotal turn at the age of 40 when he met architect Carlo Scarpa, who created a silver cutlery set for him in 1977. Munari collaborated with renowned figures such as Michele De Lucchi and Alessandro Mendini, crafting exquisite gold and silver pieces. He also worked alongside artists like Andy Warhol and writers, including Nobel Prize winners Dario Fo and Toni Morrison. In 1980, he encountered Francesca Valente in San Francisco, initiating a partnership that lasted four decades. Munari included Canadian architects in his collection, leading to an exhibition captured in 'Canadian Travellers in Italy.' He aimed to transform Vicenza into a contemporary art center, planning an exhibition titled 'Omaggio a Palladio.'