Trento Longaretti

Who is Trento Longaretti?

Trento Longaretti is an Italian painter, born in 1916 in the comune of Treviglio in the Province of Bergamo.

He undertook his high school studies in Milan, then from 1931 to 1939 he studied at the Accademia di Brera, where he was a student of Aldo Carpi, and during which he first exhibited his works in 1936. The Second World War interrupted his art, as he served in the Italian military in Slovenia, Albania and Sicily.

He resumed his painting at the end of the war, and also began working on frescoes, glass art, and mosaic art. In 1942, he exhibited works at the Venice Biennale, and the next year at the Galleria La Rotonda in Bergamo. He would exhibit at the Venice Biennale again in 1948, 1950, and 1956.

In 1953, he began teaching painting at the Accademia Carrara, and was its director until 1978, having succeeded Achille Funi for the position.

His works have been exhibited worldwide, including at London, New York City, Paris, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Ottawa, Amsterdam, Monaco, and Stockholm. They often feature themes of "solitude, pilgrimage, exile, poverty in the suburbs, [and] dignity".

Some of his works are displayed at the Duomo di Milano, Duomo di Novara, and at the Vatican Museums, among numerous other locations. To celebrate his 90th birthday, the town of Treviglio created an exhibition of his works, organized by the Cassa Rurale, a local bank. The exhibition was displayed throughout October 2006. A similar exhibition was also organized in Bergamo, and was displayed at Sala Manzù in October 2006.