Mario Agrifoglio

Mario Agrifoglio was an Italian painter, fresco artist, and sculptor, born in Genoa on June 4, 1877. He studied at the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti in Genoa until 1895. He made his debut in 1892 with a drawing titled Cristoforo Colombo, which was exhibited in Genoa. Agrifoglio’s artistic production was diverse, focusing primarily on portraiture, figures, landscapes, genre painting, and still lifes. He spent some years in Rome between 1904 and 1908, where he participated in exhibitions such as In Arte Libertas and the Associazione degli Acquarellisti. During his time in Rome, he exhibited works like Autunno a Villa Borghese (1903), Fiori di campo (1904), Dintorni di Amalfi (1904), Sogno (1906), and Alunna (1906). It was in Rome that Agrifoglio met and became acquainted with renowned painter Antonio Mancini. In 1912, Agrifoglio moved to Paris, where he stayed until 1918, attending the Académie Chaumière and engaging with the Italian artist community in the city, including the famous portraitist Giovanni Boldini. After returning to Genoa, Agrifoglio became a drawing teacher and later a sculpture instructor at the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti. He continued to work in both painting and sculpture throughout his life. Mario Agrifoglio passed away on March 27, 1972, in Roasio, in the province of Vercelli. His legacy includes significant fresco works, including those in the Church of San Michele in San Polo dei Cavalieri (Rome), the parish church of Camogli (Genoa), and the chapel of Campo in Verona.