Silvio Berlusconi's Complex Relationship with Art
Silvio Berlusconi, who served as Italy's Prime Minister four times and passed away recently, was significantly involved in the art scene, curating a collection at Villa San Martino that features a Titian portrait from 1533, appraised at nearly €5 million, alongside works by Parmigianino and Pietro Annigoni. Artists like Giuseppe Veneziano and Stefano Pierotti produced politically themed artworks referencing him. In 2018, Sirante reimagined Caravaggio's The Cardsharps with Berlusconi as a subject, while TvBoy illustrated a kiss shared with President Sergio Mattarella. In 2009, Rolling Stone honored him as "rockstar of the year." A mausoleum designed by Pietro Cascella was completed in 1993, and Jota Castro crafted a wax figure of Berlusconi hanging upside down. In 2010, Sislej Xhafa showcased a sand bust of him, and Luca Beatrice's book Nati sotto il Biscione examines his influence on modern Italian art.
Key facts
- Silvio Berlusconi died recently.
- He was four-time Italian Prime Minister, founder of Fininvest and Mediaset, and president of Forza Italia and AC Monza.
- His art collection at Villa San Martino in Arcore includes a Titian portrait (1533) valued at nearly €5 million.
- Giuseppe Veneziano created works like Non sono un santo and Novecento featuring Berlusconi.
- Stefano Pierotti's Berlusc-rott sculptures (2011) depicted Berlusconi's face progressively damaged.
- Sirante's 2018 street art recreated Caravaggio's The Cardsharps with Di Maio, Salvini, and Berlusconi.
- TvBoy made a cover for Il Foglio showing Berlusconi and Mattarella kissing.
- Rolling Stone's 2009 cover by Obey named Berlusconi 'rockstar of the year'.
- Pietro Cascella built a mausoleum at Arcore in 1993.
- Jota Castro's works include Mussolini non ha mai ammazzato nessuno (2003) and Oil Shame (2004).
- Sislej Xhafa exhibited a giant sand bust of Berlusconi as Buddha in Gothenburg, 2010.
- Luca Beatrice authored Nati sotto il Biscione on Berlusconi's impact on art.
Entities
Artists
- Silvio Berlusconi
- Tiziano
- Parmigianino
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Pietro Annigoni
- Plinio Nomellini
- Giuseppe Veneziano
- Stefano Pierotti
- Sirante
- Caravaggio
- TvBoy
- Obey
- Pietro Cascella
- Jota Castro
- Sislej Xhafa
- Luca Beatrice
Institutions
- Villa San Martino
- Arcore
- Fininvest
- Mediaset
- Forza Italia
- AC Monza
- Milan
- Il Foglio
- Rolling Stone
- Roda Sten
- Galleria Minimi
- ANSA
- Artribune
Locations
- Arcore
- Italy
- Cleveland
- Brescia
- Gothenburg
- Sweden
- Pietrasanta
- via de' Lucchesi
- Rome
- Quirinale