Tullia Ontani, Sister and Muse of Artist Luigi Ontani, Dies at 80

Tullia Ontani, the sister of renowned Italian artist Luigi Ontani, has died of a severe stroke. Though not an artist herself, Tullia was essential to Luigi's creative life, providing support and companionship that enabled his nomadic practice. The siblings shared a deep bond, reminiscent of Pascoli's poetic relationship between Mariù and Zvani, and lived together in a villa in Vergato, Italy, filled with Luigi's works. Luigi Ontani, often compared to Alexander the Great for his travels from Bali to New York to London, always returned home to Tullia. Their home, a 'villino' at the foot of Rocchetta Mattei, became a repository of Luigi's art, including oils, watercolors, fabrics, and furniture. A planned museum at Rocchetta Mattei with Fondazione Carisbo fell through. Luigi also created a monumental fountain and stained glass windows in Vergato. The siblings, both secular, chose cremation. Renato Barilli, professor emeritus at the University of Bologna, wrote the remembrance.