Italian abstract painter Valentino Vago dies at 86

Valentino Vago, a leading figure in Italian abstract painting, died on January 17, 2018, in Milan after a long illness. Born in Barlassina in 1931, he studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera alongside Valerio Adami and Bepi Romagnoni. He debuted at the VII Quadriennale d'Arte in Rome in 1955, gaining early critical attention. His first solo show was in 1960 at Salone Annunciata, beginning a long collaboration. Over his career, he worked with galleries Martano in Turin, Morone 6 in Milan, and Contini in Rome. In 1972 he won the Premio Michetti. He exhibited internationally at the São Paulo Biennial, Hayward Gallery in London, and Grand Palais in Paris. In 1980 he created an environmental intervention at Palazzo Reale in Milan. In 2007 he completed a monumental 12,000 sqm mural at Nostra Signora del Rosario church in Doha, Qatar. He received the Premio Nazionale from President Giorgio Napolitano in 2013 and a career award from the Accademia di San Luca in 2012. Skira published a catalogue raisonné in 2011. His last public appearance was in October 2017 at the opening of "Oltre l'orizzonte" at Gallerie Il Milione and L'Annunciata in Milan, which was extended until February 2, 2018. His final environmental work, "Il suo Paradiso," was completed in summer 2017 at San Giovanni in Laterano in Milan. His funeral was held on January 19, 2018.