In Memoriam: Professor Gian Berto Vanni
Gian Berto Vanni was born in Rome in 1927. He received his art education at the University of Rome’s School of Art and Architecture in the 1940s. Gian Vanni continued his studies in 1949 in Amsterdam at the atelier of the De Stijl member Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart. In 1952, he was chosen by Josef Albers to study at Yale, under the Fullbright program.
In 1979 he moved to New York where he held an open studio twice a year for his collectors. From 1984 to 2014, he taught Color Interaction and Painting Techniques at The Cooper Union School for the Advancement of Science and Art. He traveled extensively through Europe, Central America, Asia and Africa. His works have been shown in galleries in the United States, Europe and Japan.
He passed away during September 2017.
Alumni memories:
Joseph Weinzette A’89 — Kind and generous man. Shared his remarkable depth of knowledge with his students in ‘Traditional methods and materials of painting’ class.
David Sena A’97 — Great man , full of wisdom and life , amazing artist, so happy to have been one of his students
Amber Marsh A’05 — Learned so much from this man.
Anna Muslimova A’99 — I learned so much from this precious professor! about color and technique but even more about enjoying life, making the most of each moment, filling your heart with joy and humor, doing what you like. That and also how to pick up an egg yolk with my fingers “as if it was a kitten “
Links to works:
Reviews:
The Inner Life of Dreamscapes 45 Greene Street Offers Rare Chance to View Six Decades of Gian Berto Vanni, Gay City News link
Books:
The Threads of the Canvas, Autobiography of a Painter Link
Amor, (in Spanish) Link
Love, (in English) Link
The Magic Chalk, by Link
