Italian Postwar Master Ettore Spalletti Dies at 79

Ettore Spalletti, one of Italy's most significant postwar artists, died at his home in Spoltore (Pescara) at age 79. Born in Cappelle sul Tavo in 1940, Spalletti was known for his meditative, color-driven paintings and spatial interventions that blurred art and architecture. His signature azure blue transformed spaces like the Garches morgue (1996) and the Villa Serena chapel in Città Sant'Angelo, which he renovated with his wife, architect Patrizia Leonelli. In 2017, the Faculty of Architecture of Pescara awarded him an honorary degree. A major exhibition, 'Ombre d'azur, transparence,' curated by Cristiano Raimondi, was on view at NMNM Nouveau Musée National de Monaco until November 3. Spalletti's work was featured at Documenta (1982, 1992) and the Venice Biennale (1982, 1993, 1995, 1997), with solo shows at Musée d'art moderne de la Ville de Paris (1991), Guggenheim Museum New York (1993), and others. In 2014, a three-venue retrospective 'Un giorno così bianco, così bianco' was held at MAXXI Rome, GAM Turin, and Museo Madre Naples. A documentary by Alessandra Galletta, 'Ettore Spalletti, Italia,' premieres November 16 at Schermo dell'Arte in Florence. His death came hours after that of gallerist Cesare Manzo.