“The warm Venetian light, the Florentine sensuality. Betweem the columns of Borgo Pinti, the art of Gianfranco Mello”

While the creativity of Benvenuto Cellini forged masterpieces in the foundry on Via della Pergola, Giambologna was elaborating his immortal creations just a few steps away. We are in Borgo Pinti and in the splendor of a past unattainable for its magnificence a contemporary artist has reopened a glimmer of light, that light that gives soul to his paintings.

“The color and light of a Venetian painter in the Tuscany land” This is the presentation  of  Gianfranco Mello’s artist residence in the heart of the Renaissance capital.

The Fondazione Mello-Studio d’arte Le Colonne is the latest heir to a glorious history of art that has alternated over the centuries.
Once Giambologna’s workshop, the halls of the Mello Foundation today welcome the color and light of the Venetian artist and the numerous initiatives open to the contemporary.

At numbers 22-24 of Borgo Pinti Gianfranco Mello exhibits a magnificent production of works. The commitment of the Foundation is expressed in the production of the Mello studio-atelier and in the planning of cultural initiatives.

The Maestro, born in Venice he moved to Firenze very young following his family. The first personal exhibition held at the Lyceum dates back to 1950 at the age of 17 years. In 1957 he held a personal exhibition at the “Saletta del Fiorino” in Firenze, on the occasion of the homage to Mario Luzi Marzotto prize 1956 for poetry and to Domenico Rea, guest of Florence.

Participates in important national exhibitions and receives awards and prizes, among which are mentioned the “Lorenzo Viani” Honor Award for the Arts and Golden Emblem with Fiorino obtained with the painters E. Vedova and L. Spazzapan. The painting awarded, “The Cello Player” is located in the Modern Art Gallery of Palazzo Pitti in Firenze. In 1963 the master receives the First National Prize “Città di Viareggio” and the Gold Medal of the President of the Republic Antonio Segni. He currently  lives and works in the historical centre of the city and in the Study of Pian dei Giullari.