The School of Fine Arts not only offered the opportunity for cultural and artistic enrichment but also served as a springboard for painters who rose to fame.
Countless students were enrolled, and below is a list of some of the most talented, as well as the seven iconic masters of Vigezzina painting.
Camillo Besana (1887-1914) began painting school at the age of thirteen as a pupil of Pietro Maria Gennari, Enrico Cavalli and Dario Giorgis. He worked in Bologna and Turin, but mostly in the Vigezzo Valley. He was a lively landscape artist who worked with immediacy and sincerity, paying close attention to light and brightness. His landscapes portray his love for his favourite places. Many of his works can be found in public and private collections.
Maurizio Borgnis (1867-1838) left the school a portrait of his that shows great sensitivity. He emigrated from the valley when he was young. We don’t have any information on his work as a painter.
Dario Giorgis, (1863-1930) was a pupil of the school from when it opened and would later become a teacher there. He honed his skills at the Albertina Academy in Turin and investigated lighting effects, experimenting in both portrait and still life. He moved to the Ossola valleys in search of evocative subjects for his intimist works. He was a natural, sincere teacher who was well-respected by his students.
Francesco Giorgis Jr. (1908-1971) grew up under the guidance of his father Dario. He was serious and disciplined and dedicated himself to studying the works of the past. He was an excellent portraitist who also tried his hand at landscape painting, with success. Careful and thoughtful, he produced carefully considered, painstaking work.
Francesco Giorgis Jr. (1908-1971) grew up under the guidance of his father Dario. He was serious and disciplined and dedicated himself to studying the works of the past. He was an excellent portraitist who also tried his hand at landscape painting, with success. Careful and thoughtful, he produced carefully considered, painstaking work.
Francesco Giorgis, (1903-1964) known as Pantona, was the nephew of Dario Giorgis. He attended the School of Fine Arts during the years when Enrico Cavalli and his uncle Dario worked there. Despite his shyness and modesty, he proved himself to be a convincing artist and a good restorer.
Silvio Giorgis (1862-1886) pursued a short artistic career at the School of Fine Arts. Under the guidance of his father and Enrico Cavalli, he expressed a deep sensitivity in his works. He died very young, yet by the time of his death his works already had a certain maturity.
Attilio Pidò attended school for two or three years from 1898 and developed a largely literary and musical talent. His talent was cut short when he died aged only thirty-three years old.
Despite being self-taught, Sirio Polini (1909-1969) never lost sight of the teachings of Dario Giorgis and Enrico Cavalli. He had a lot of experience with tempera and fresco painting. He produced good landscapes and indoor scenes that are influenced by the divisionist technique.
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