Luisa Laureati, Gallerist and 'Donna di Quadri,' Dies at 86
Luisa Laureati (Dire Daua, 1939 – Rome, 2025), a prominent Roman gallerist known as a 'Donna di Quadri,' has died. She began her career as a secretary at Bruno Sargentini's Galleria L'Attico and opened a bookshop in Via dell'Oca in 1965, which became a gallery two years later. Laureati was a central figure in Rome's 1960s art scene, connected with artists such as Franco Angeli, Jannis Kounellis, Pino Pascali, and Mario Schifano, as well as writers Pier Paolo Pasolini and Elsa Morante. In 1974 she married art historian Giuliano Briganti, introducing him to contemporary art. After his death, she transformed part of her home into a home gallery, presenting works by artists like Nunzio and Eliseo Mattiacci. Her collection included pieces acquired by Claudio Cavazza and Francesco Merloni. In later years she moved to Palazzo Costaguti and spent time in Salento. She was known for her discerning eye and generosity. She is survived by her sister Laura, Briganti's children Guido, Caterina, and Barbara, and her assistant Giulia Lotti.
Key facts
- Luisa Laureati was born in Dire Daua, Ethiopia in 1939 and died in Rome in 2025.
- She worked as a secretary at Galleria L'Attico in Rome.
- She opened a bookshop in Via dell'Oca in 1965, which became a gallery in 1967.
- She married art historian Giuliano Briganti in 1974.
- After Briganti's death, she ran a home gallery in Rome.
- Her collection included works acquired by Claudio Cavazza and Francesco Merloni.
- She later lived at Palazzo Costaguti and in Salento.
- She was a central figure in Rome's 1960s art and literary scene.
Entities
Artists
- Luisa Laureati
- Franco Angeli
- Corrado Cagli
- Renato Guttuso
- Alberto Burri
- Jannis Kounellis
- Pino Pascali
- Sebastian Matta
- Mario Schifano
- Giosetta Fioroni
- Giulio Paolini
- Luigi Ontani
- Renato Mambor
- Nunzio
- Eliseo Mattiacci
- Cy Twombly
- Gianni Dessì
- Marco Tirelli
- Enzo Cucchi
- Gregorio Botta
- Ester Coen
- Federico Zeri
- Goffredo Parise
- Sandro Penna
- Giancarlo Pediconi
Institutions
- Galleria L'Attico
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Via Ripetta
- Caffè Rosati
- Sigma-Tau
- Gruppo Ariston
- Exibart
- Artribune
- Amazon
- Centro Arti Visive Pescheria di Pesaro
- Fondazione Guastalla per l'arte contemporanea
- Università IULM di Milano
Locations
- Dire Daua
- Ethiopia
- Rome
- Italy
- Via dell'Oca
- Tridente
- Piazza del Popolo
- Via della Mercede
- Palazzo Costaguti
- Salve
- Salento
- Fabriano