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Giovan Battista Rotella
the "soul of the south" and the master at capturing Calabria

The soul of the south...in his pure metaphysical modulation, Rotella clearly reveals the profound soul of the South made up of antique pain and magical happiness...
-Il Popolo

Giovan Battista Rotella was born in Gimigliano, Catanzaro in 1947. In 1966, he came into contact with Venetian master Virgilio Guidi at a small public exhibition in Venice. Guidi later expressed his desire for Rotella to present a personal exhibition at Venice's Il Traghetto Gallery. At the exhibition a satisfied Guidi presented the young artist with his first catalogue.

Following that exhibit, other world renown Italian masters saw Rotella's talent and strengthened contact with him. Rotella exhibited extensively around the world, and became the subject of numerous retrospectives throughout Europe and the Americas. In 1979, he became friends with Milan master Ernesto Treccani and they prepared an exhibition together in Rome at "Prospettive nel mondo" which was presented in a catalogue by the master Domenico Guzzi.

	Every touch to the canvas is affectionately applied showing the spirit of the south - aggressive, romantic, good-natured - all at the same time... -Il Tempo
	Calabria's impressionist...sunny blissfulness and anguish, exemplifying the history of Southern Italy...every painting duplicates grays and reflections as only the mind of mortals can... -Art Leader

His work is included in prominent public collections including the Galleria Metanopoli and La Viscontea in Milan, the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City and the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville, Paris Museum Ludwig. In 1997 he was awarded the Premio alla Carriera, Italy's highest career award, presented by Vittorio Sgarbi, Italy's minister of art and architecture, in the Versace Hall of Reggio Calabria.

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Click on any of the photos for a larger view

L'ultimo giglio The last lily Oil/canvas, cm40x50	Girasoli secchi Dried sunflowers Oil/canvas, cm50x70
Mediterraneeo Mediterranean Oil/canvas, cm50x70	Tramonto in Calabria Sunset in Calabria Oil/canvas, cm40x50

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