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Italian painter Filippo La Vaccara on overcoming prejudice against painting

opinion-review · 2026-04-27

In a personal essay on Artribune, Italian artist Filippo La Vaccara argues that painting in Italy has long been undervalued due to prejudice, but now a resurgence is underway. He notes that foreign painters worked without such bias and achieved recognition earlier. La Vaccara admits feeling embarrassed when called a 'painter' because the term is associated with hobbyists and artisans. He expanded into sculpture, ceramics, papier-mâché, and video collaborations with director Danilo Torre to bypass prejudice. He believes painting reveals human fragility and is inherently honest, which makes it threatening. He asserts that quality transcends medium, and that good gallerists and collectors have always supported painting. The essay speculates that an Italian painter may soon be invited to the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, signaling renewed attention to Italian painting after decades of neglect.

Key facts

  • Filippo La Vaccara is an Italian artist who works in painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and design.
  • He collaborated with director Danilo Torre on short films featuring absurd plots and wearable painted papier-mâché heads.
  • La Vaccara believes Italian painting suffered from a prejudice that labeled it antiquated, causing artists to abandon the practice.
  • He argues that foreign painters worked in a context without such prejudice and achieved success earlier.
  • The essay suggests that an Italian painter may soon be invited to the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
  • La Vaccara states that quality in art is evident regardless of medium, and that painting has a dynamic, honest nature.
  • He credits good gallerists and intuitive collectors for keeping painting alive in Italy.
  • The essay was published on Artribune in August 2023.

Entities

Artists

  • Filippo La Vaccara
  • Danilo Torre
  • Paola Capata
  • Francesco De Grandi
  • Antonio Grulli

Institutions

  • Artribune
  • Padiglione Italia
  • Biennale di Venezia

Locations

  • Italy
  • Venezia

Sources