Emilio Greco

At the age of 13, Emilio Greco began an apprenticeship in a local stonemason’s workshop, where he developed a strong foundation in craftsmanship and form. After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo, he moved to Rome. Greco held his first solo exhibition in 1946 and began teaching sculpture in Rome by 1948. He became an important figure in postwar Italian art.

Greco is known for his refined figurative sculptures, often focusing on female nudes, portraits, and mythological subjects. His works are characterized by elegant, elongated proportions and a smooth, lyrical style that blends classical influences from Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art with a distinctly modern sensibility. Alongside his sculptural work, he produced expressive drawings and graphic series — such as Commiati — that explored emotional and poetic themes with sensitivity and subtlety.

Among his most iconic works are the Monument to Pinocchio (1953) in Collodi, the bronze doors for Orvieto Cathedral (1962–1964), and Large Bather (1956). His sculpture Nereid (1973), located in London's Mayfair, is another notable public work. Greco exhibited internationally, including solo shows at Palazzo Barberini (Rome, 1958), Stadtische Galerie (Munich, 1959), and Musée Rodin (Paris, 1961). His legacy is preserved through permanent museum collections.