Stratification is discovery: a hidden past of epochs erased and distant time forgotten: behind the layers lie fossils and unknown uncounted footsteps of people traced only in the shadows of archaeology.
The texture shattered and gleaming reveals Devonian, Cambrian and Jurassic pressures: landscapes, polarised masses formed by weight and heat.
These lines explored in a tangible collision in which one one moves in an ever unreeling space continuum.
Francesco de Stefano Casali
Francesco De Stefano Casali
Francesco de Stefano was born in Milan in 1937. He studied architecture in Caracas, where he became the assistant of Professor Giorgio Gori, a skilled sculptor, painter and set designer with a passion for the Italian Renaissance.
Gori influenced Francesco enormously and directed him to leave Venezuela and continue his studies in Europe.
He attended the Acadamia de Belle Artes de Brera in Milan and graduated with an honours degree in Scenography.
However, in the mid seventies, Francesco went to live in the mountains. This isolation away from busy, cosmopolitan Milanese life convinced him to work in a constructive organic way, influenced by his architectural background.
In the early eighties, Francesco’s paintings radically changed when he became more and more interested in the force of light, whilst retaining his structural and architectural base.
His current work is Fortezzato, a very old technique whereby paper is supported on canvas.
He now lives and works in Spain.
What is Fortezzato?
The Fortezzato Technique
Origins:
This technique was originally used by sceneographers for Operatic backgrounds in Italy from the 1850’s. The Fortezatto technique crafts paint, paper and fish glue on stretched canvas, to create artworks of enormous dimensions that remain durable enough to last for countless decades in the theatre.
Style:
The Fortezzato Technique is a balance of focus and surrender. With Francesco’s studies in architecture laying the foundations of the distinct and strong straight lines, it is unique to see how Francesco can deliver a sense of contrast via the raw emotion when he has torn and then applied his painted paper.
The result is a wonderful juxtaposition of styles.
Antiquated art in contemporary settings:
In recent yeas, as representations of an art form almost lost, Francesco’s loud and powerful Fortezzato Technique paintings have become popular centre pieces for large reception areas and hallways in private houses and also hotel lobbies.
Notable users of the Fortezato Technique:
Leonardo Da Vinci
Borticelli
Tancredi
Dova
Francesco hopes that his paintings can move you in ways that have moved so many others also.
Specialist Digital Galleries
Sold Works
Here is a list of some of the works that Francesco has already sold, but wishes to share here on this website to further give the viewers a greater understanding of the scopes of movement and stylisation available from The Fortezzato Technique
Francesco’s Favourites
See some of Francesco’s favourite productions from throughout his career. Some of these works are for sale. Some of these works have already been sold.