Italy – Mario Bogani: an artistic life in search of the face of Christ

20 June 2016

(ANS – Fenegrò) – He was expecting with joy an audience from Pope Francis, to offer him his latest work, representing the Pope welcoming with open hands a family of migrants; but the Lord came to his encounter first. Artist Mario Bogani, author of numerous and famous works, among which many representing don Bosco, went to the House of the Father yesterday, Sunday, June 19th.

The artist was born in Como on June 1st, 1932. Putting to good use his artistic talent, remarkable since his youth, he attended the Brera Academy of Art in Milan, devoting himself especially to fresco painting. His artistic activity was expressed in paintings of remarkable significance in important cities such as Rome, Vatican City, Como, Varese, Florence, Milan, Brescia; and abroad in Punta Arenas (Chile), Tehran (Iran), Khartoum (Sudan), in Switzerland, Mexico and Germany.

The Church of Saint Ambrose and Saint Martin in Cairate, the Temple of Colle Don Bosco (Castelnuovo), the Church of Don Bosco in Brescia, the chapel of the Salesian Formation Centre in Nave (Brescia) and numerous other churches witness to the greatness and industriousness of this artist who in his career signed over 200 works of great dimensions. Mario Bogani knew the Salesian Family and Don Bosco very well and very often portrayed the face of the Piedmontese saint, expressing his sanctity and his humanity and representing the main moments of his life.

Alberto Longatti, curator of a catalogue of his works, wrote: “Men and women in general, but also saints and martyrs, and even Christ when he is not transfigured by the light of his divinity, in Bogani’s paintings are like us, they walk at our side on the same paths, they live in the same houses. Besides, they address us as if to invite us to physically participate in the rite they have been called to personify”.

His art is characterized by a deep interior dialogue with the religious subjects he painted and provokes the spectators to measure themselves with the spell they manifest. He spent his life painting with intensity the face of Christ and narrating with his art the most beautiful moments of His life.

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".