Gino Bruno (1899 - 1977)
Painter and teacher. He signed his works Gino Bruno. He was already painting at the age of five, while still in Italy. At 14, he produced what is considered his first work. His second drawing and painting teacher was Professor Elpons, and his contemporaries included Di Cavalcanti, Tarsila, Anita Malfatti, Paulo Rossi Osir and Mário Zanini, at a time when names such as Pedro Alexandrino, Antônio Rocco, Torquato Bassi and Paulo do Valle Júnior stood out. He also studied at the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios de São Paulo. He took part in the Semana de Arte Moderna [Modern Art Week] in February 1922. He held his first exhibition at Livraria Jackson, showing eight paintings, and was hailed by Menotti del Picchia as "a great Brazilian landscape painter". He then prepared, with dedication and passion, an exhibition at Galeria Itá, in São Paulo (1944), which profoundly marked his career. Recognition was broad. Menotti del Picchia, a great admirer of the painter, whom he considered, together with Portinari, "the two highest points of good current Brazilian painting", wrote extensively about his work. He taught for many years at the Escola de Belas Artes de São Paulo. Some of his awards: Bronze Medal (SPBA), Small Silver Medal (SPBA-1938), Large Silver Medal (SPBA-1941), State Governor Prize (SPBA-1952 and 1956), Small Gold Medal (SPBA-1956), State Legislative Assembly Prize (SPBA-1957 and 1970), Large Gold Medal (SPBA-1967), Medal of Honor (1968), Thomaz Mello Cruz Prize (SPBA-1969). His works are held at Masp, the Museu Lasar Segall and art museums in other states and abroad. This lifetime devoted to painting earned him, from the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo, which had already awarded him twice, a motion of condolence on his death, approved at the session of 09/22/1977.
Source: Pró Arte
