Rediscovered Surrealist: Stanislao Lepri Retrospective at Tommaso Calabro
A retrospective of Italian surrealist painter Stanislao Lepri (Rome, 1905 – Paris, 1980) is on view at Galleria Tommaso Calabro in Milan until June 24, featuring 40 works. Lepri, born into Roman aristocracy, served as Italian Consul in Monaco before abandoning diplomacy in 1942 after meeting painter Leonor Fini. He moved to Paris in 1946, living unconventionally with Fini and writer Constantin Jelenski. His paintings, described by Hunter Braithwaite as blending 'humor and terror,' evoke Hieronymus Bosch, Giorgio de Chirico, and childhood memories. Promoted by gallerist Alexander Iolas, Lepri also designed costumes for the 1950 Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The exhibition revives interest in this overlooked surrealist.
Key facts
- Stanislao Lepri was born in Rome in 1905 and died in Paris in 1980.
- He worked as Italian Consul in Monaco before leaving diplomacy in 1942.
- He met painter Leonor Fini in 1942 and later lived with her in Rome and Paris.
- Writer Constantin Jelenski lived with Lepri and Fini from 1951.
- His paintings were promoted by gallerist Alexander Iolas.
- He designed costumes for the 1950 Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
- The retrospective at Galleria Tommaso Calabro includes 40 works and runs until June 24.
- Critic Hunter Braithwaite described Lepri's work as mixing humor and terror.
Entities
Artists
- Stanislao Lepri
- Leonor Fini
- Max Ernst
- André Breton
- George Balanchine
- Hieronymus Bosch
- Giorgio de Chirico
- Constantin Jelenski
- Hunter Braithwaite
- Alexander Iolas
- Ludovico Pratesi
- Pieter Bruegel
Institutions
- Galleria Tommaso Calabro
- Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Paris
- France
- Monaco
- Milan
- Piazza Navona
- Villa Borghese
- Monte Carlo
- Montecarlo