Mario Russo, (Italian 1925 - 2000)
"La Sapienza" Oil on canvas 35" X 35", Signed and dated LR "M. Russo 66" also titled, signed and dated on the back "La Sapienza 66".  

Mario Russo, a painter, illustrator and graphic artist, born in Naples in 1925. In 1948 he graduated from the Art Institute of Naples. In 1950 he moved to Rome in the Trastevere neighborhood. In these years he started participating in exhibitions in Italy and abroad. Between 1973 and 1974 he traveled all over Italy. In 1977 he started painting and exhibiting in Canada and in 1984 he made several paintings that relate to the Chinese and Japanese theater. In 1985 he devoted himself to studies and construction of major works inspired by the world of Fellini's films and characters. In 1992 he produced a retrospective at the Palazzo Braschi. He died in Rome on March 7, 2000.