In anticipation of Claudio Coltorti’s 2025 solo exhibition with the gallery, we spoke with him about his literary roots, his move from Naples to Paris, and his experiences at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. We also asked him about his approach to scale, his exploration of themes such as humanity and intimacy, and the sources of his inspiration.
Installation view: Claudio Coltorti, Dialogo, Galleria Acappella, Naples. Photo by Danilo Donzelli / courtesy of Galleria Acappella.
You currently reside and work in Athens, but you are originally from Naples, Italy, where you studied classical and modern literature. Do you believe your academic background in literature influences your artistic practice today? Yes, I studied classical and modern literature at university. I don’t believe this has much to do with my artistic practice today. However, I could think about the years in high school, where I used to translate from ancient Greek and Latin. I remember it was a field of creation and fantasy. Under the guidance of my teacher, then, I learnt how to observe, feel and translate a text. I think I still apply this method today, with reality and paintings.
Following your studies in Italy, you relocated to Paris and enrolled at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts to study art for five years. What motivated your transition from literature to painting? I abandoned literature quite fast. As much as I love it, I didn’t see my future in the University. Painting came almost by chance. I enrolled at the Beaux-Arts with just drawings. I started painting there because I was surrounded by other painters.
Installation view: Claudio Coltorti, Bryter Layter, Gallerie Hussenot, Paris. Photo courtesy of the gallery.
You often work with small formats when painting. Can you talk about your choice of scale? It’s true that many of the paintings I’ve done in the last years are on small format. However, I also feel comfortable working on bigger formats (as I did for my last show at Galerie Hussenot in Paris or with some paintings at Galleria Acappella in Naples). I don’t really choose a format. I don’t know what will appear on the canvas. The intention when I paint is humanity, intimacy, to give an image a kind of its own life. I keep this purpose in mind and I always work on small and big formats at the same time.
Installation view: Claudio Coltorti, CFA Milano, Room # 3, Gallerie Hussenot. Photo courtesy of the gallery.
Your work often delves into introspective and existential themes. What draws you to these subjects? My interest towards humanity and intimacy and whatever can be brought from this. My paintings are the translated image of everything I find stimulating around me. I would love to make a painting of a presence that left the square of the canvas just one second ago.
Who, or what, inspires you? Love, passion for beauty, a flower, morning light, a smile, the battle against my own limits.
Installation view: Claudio Coltorti, Adore, Olivia Edwards Gallery, New York. Photo courtesy of the gallery.