Draft:Gaetano Minale

• Comment: fails WP:NARTIST. Theroadislong (talk) 19:44, 27 October 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: Using YouTube as a main source of information is not allowed. It is not a reliable source. The other sources are not independent. The article needs more reliable, independent sources to be accepted. UserMemer (chat) Tribs 21:23, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: The subject has previously employed undisclosed paid editors and the article has been salted on it.wiki due to the disruption caused. This is almost certailny another attempt. It is probably time to SALT this draft as well. SmartSE (talk) 10:05, 18 September 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: "Career development": No source cited. "Artistic style and themes": One source cited: Minale himself.
  I didn't bother looking any further. -- Hoary (talk) 06:18, 18 September 2024 (UTC)

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Gaetano Minale

Gaetano Minale (born July 4, 1938, in Agnone, Molise) is an Italian figurative painter whose work reflects the peasant culture and rural landscapes of Abruzzo. With over 30 years of dedication to these themes, Minale's vibrant and expressive style captures the essence of humanity’s connection to nature. His early works were heavily influenced by the agricultural traditions of his home region, while his later paintings, particularly after 2011, depict women in harmony with nature, surrounded by fields of flowers. Internationally recognized, Minale has held over 120 exhibitions, showcasing his evolving artistic journey.

Early life and education

Born in Agnone, Molise, Minale exhibited a talent for drawing from a young age. He pursued his formal education in Agnone, attending both the professional training school and technical school, before enrolling at the industrial school (I.T.I.) in Chieti. In 1960, he graduated as an electrotechnical expert and soon began a career with Unes, an electricity company. In 1962, at the age of 24, he was assigned to Chieti, and in 1963, he transferred to Atessa, where he would work for 35 years at Enel, eventually becoming Agency Head.

Despite the demands of his electrical career, Minale remained committed to his artistic pursuits. In 1969, he began studying under master painter and restorer Gennaro Bravo in Atessa, where he trained for six years. His artistic practice, initially challenging due to his professional obligations, eventually flourished, leading to both group and solo exhibitions starting in the 1970s. By 1975, he had exhibited extensively and continues to contribute to the local art community.

Career development

Minale transitioned from engineering to art, beginning his artistic journey under the mentorship of the master painter and restorer Gennaro Bravo. From 1968 to 1975, he attended Bravo's atelier in Atessa, where he studied various painting techniques including oil, pastel, and acrylic. Although largely self-taught, this formal training shaped his approach to art.

By the 1970s, Minale’s work gained international attention. In 1977, he was awarded the Italian Oscar for Visual Arts, recognizing his achievements in painting.

Gaetano Minale's Italian Oscar for Visual Arts, 1977

The award further solidified his standing within the art community, where his affiliations with notable academies such as the 'I 500' Academy and the Tiberina Academy of Rome became key elements of his career.

In October 2021, Minale was honored with the Rotary Award for "The color and expressive power of his painting of the last 50 years." This recognition highlights his continued impact on the art world, spanning over five decades.

Artistic style and themes

In October 2011, Minale underwent a tracheotomy and total laryngectomy, resulting in a total loss of voice. This significant health challenge impacted his artistic and exhibition activities, leading to a transformation in his painting style. Since then, his new works reflect a profound shift in emotion towards nature and the joy of living, with light and color dominating his compositions. Women became the true protagonists of his paintings, depicted in symbiosis with nature, set against expansive landscapes filled with poppies and sunflowers.

Exhibitions and achievements

Minale's art has been featured in numerous international exhibitions. Significant displays include his early show at Gelmi Art Gallery in Sesto San Giovanni (1975), and later exhibitions at venues such as the Royal Palace in Milan (1984), Chou-Ku Gallery in Tokyo (1985), and the Chamber of Commerce in Chieti (1990). His work has also been exhibited in Paris, Istanbul, Budapest, and London.

Minale has received several awards, including the 'Federico Faruffini' Award in 1976 and the Byzantine Grand Prix in Istanbul in 1996. In October 2021, he was awarded the Rotary Award for his painting work, recognizing "The color and expressive power of his painting of the last 50 years.

In a gesture to his local community, he donated 105 pieces to the city of Atessa, documenting the regional landscape over several decades.

On 16 May 2017, the city of Atessa paid tribute to Minale's career with the event "A Life for Art.

The Gaetano Minale Casa Museo Collection, located in Atessa, Chieti, is a museum dedicated to his life and works. The museum is housed in Minale's home and contains a collection of paintings, drawings, and personal items created during his artistic career. This museum offers visitors a deep connection to his creative legacy and the progression of his work over the years.

Museum and art gallery

The Gaetano Minale Casa Museo Collection, located in Atessa, Chieti, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the life and works of Gaetano Minale. The museum houses an extensive collection of paintings, drawings, and personal items created throughout his artistic career. This permanent exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore Minale’s artistic journey and the evolution of his work, which reflects the cultural and natural beauty of the Abruzzo region. The museum also features special exhibits and educational programs aimed at celebrating the legacy of Minale's contributions to the art world.

External news

Gaetano Minale’s work and achievements have been widely covered by the media, with numerous articles and features in national and regional publications. His artistic transformation after 2011, marked by the inclusion of brighter colors and a new focus on nature, has been the subject of significant media attention. External news sources have highlighted Minale's exhibitions, awards, and his influence on contemporary Italian art. Coverage has also extended to his role in preserving the cultural heritage of Abruzzo through his paintings and the establishment of the Casa Museo dedicated to his works.

Notable contributions

In 2016, Minale made a significant donation of 105 graphic paintings to the municipality of Atessa. These works, which depict glimpses and landscapes of the local area, are permanently exhibited in the Foyer of the Italia Auditorium within the municipal art gallery named in his honor. This gesture reflects his deep connection to the region and its cultural heritage.

Significant publications

To commemorate his 80th birthday, Gaetano Minale published the volume A Life for Painting. This publication provides an in-depth look at his artistic journey and contributions to the art world.

Publications

In the same year, 2016, the Municipality of Atessa published Atessa, The Graphics in the Gaetano Minale Art Gallery, a collection showcasing his 105 donated graphic paintings. These artworks depict landscapes of Atessa and reflect the artist's deep connection to the region's heritage.

Critical reception and media coverage

Minale’s work has been covered by national and international press, as well as on radio and television. His paintings are featured in private collections and public institutions across Italy and abroad. Notable critics, including Giuseppe Martucci, Vito Calogero, Bernard Gauthron, Roberto Mangione, and Giorgio Falossi, have commented on the emotional depth and vibrant colors in his work.

His painting style has been described as emotive and symbiotic with nature, with critics such as Maria Delli Quadri and Enzo Carmine Delli Quadri noting the transformation in his work following his health challenges in 2011 .

Additional archival information and catalog mentions from 1978 to 2012, covering Minale’s contributions to art, are available on his official site, which includes scans and documentation from notable national and international art catalogs.