Umberto Lilloni

Trees in Viareggio

oil on canvas - cm 40x45  - cod. UL 10

Umberto Lilloni (1898-1980)

He was born in Milan in 1898. He began his studies in marine engineering but interrupts them to study drawing at the School Artisan dell'Umanitaria. During these studies discovered his vocation to painting. In 1915 he enrolled at the Brera Academy. His first teachers were the disheveled caricaturist Bignami and the academic cremoniano Rapetti. In 1917 he is enlisted in the assault troops of the infantry during World War II. After the war he enrolled again at the Brera Academy under the guide of Talloni and Alciati. In 1922 he was awarded the prize of "Pensionato Hayez". From this moment, for a little season, approaches the ideas and research of the "Novecento" but soon abandons the tendency of twentieth century and resumes the study of the great Lombard pictorial tradition. Around 1930, the first experience of that "in light background painting" that will become the way of his art. In 1927 he was awarded the prize Principe Umberto. From 1927 to 1941 Lilloni teaches at the Brera Academy, and from 1941 to 1962 is a full professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Parma. He became a friend of the professor Oreste Marini, leader of "Chiarismo Lombardo". Lilloni is known to be among the greatest exponents of " Chiarismo Lombardo", brightness and color delicacy characterize his paintings, mainly landscapes. In the 1970s he puts their home in Switzerland, where he spent much time of his last years of life.