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Italian Photographer Paolo Novelli Dies at 48

other · 2026-04-26

Paolo Novelli, an Italian photographer, passed away at the age of 48 following a short illness. Renowned for his self-taught black-and-white analog photography, Novelli delved into themes of incommunicability for over 25 years. He was born in Brescia in 1976 and began his photography journey in 1997, gaining entry into Milan's art scene in 1998 with the assistance of Lanfranco Colombo. In 1999, he took part in an artist residency at Fabrica, concentrating on existential solitude and fragility in the early 2000s. His significant works include "Grigio notte," "Interiors," and "Vita brevis, Ars longa." He published seven monographs and exhibited at Palazzo Ducale and Triennale di Milano. In 2017, he became an honorary member of AFIP, with his exhibition "Persone e Cose" slated for February/March 2025.

Key facts

  • Paolo Novelli died at 48 after a brief illness.
  • He was known for black-and-white analog conceptual photography.
  • Giovanni Gastel called his style 'photography of solitude.'
  • Novelli was born in Brescia in 1976 and began shooting in 1997.
  • He entered Milan's author photography scene in 1998 with help from Lanfranco Colombo.
  • In 1999, he did a residency at Fabrica under Oliviero Toscani.
  • His famous series include 'Vita brevis, Ars longa' on cemeteries.
  • He published seven monographs.
  • He exhibited at Triennale di Milano, Palazzo Ducale Genoa, and Camera – Centro Italiano per la Fotografia.
  • In 2017, he was named honorary member of AFIP.
  • His posthumous exhibition 'Persone e Cose' is scheduled at Palazzo Lombardia, Milan for Feb/Mar 2025.

Entities

Artists

  • Paolo Novelli
  • Giovanni Gastel
  • Lanfranco Colombo
  • Oliviero Toscani
  • Michelangelo Antonioni
  • Massimo Minini
  • Federica Mongodi

Institutions

  • Galleria Il Diaframma
  • Fabrica
  • Benetton
  • Triennale di Milano
  • Palazzo Ducale
  • Camera – Centro Italiano per la Fotografia
  • AFIP – Associazione Fotografi Italiani Professionisti
  • Massimo Minini gallery
  • Palazzo Lombardia

Locations

  • Brescia
  • Italy
  • Milan
  • Genoa

Sources