Dr. Carlo Monzino by Andy Warhol is a painting from 1975 that captures the essence of one of Italy’s most influential art collectors. Monzino, a multifaceted entrepreneur and collector, played a significant role in Warhol’s success in Italy, and this vibrant portrait reflects their personal friendship.
Unlike Warhol’s typical quick strokes in commissioned portraits, the use of rich and mellow colors in this painting reveals a closeness to his subject. The deliberately anti-naturalistic choice of colors underlines the strength of Monzino’s features and character, creating a vivid representation of a man who was a driving force in promoting primitive art forms and contemporary art in Italy.
Carlo Monzino forged a significant bond with Warhol during the 1960s, playing a pivotal role in amplifying Warhol’s prominence in Italy. Monzino was a fervent advocate for Warhol’s exhibitions in Italy, most notably acquiring the Ladies and Gentlemen paintings from the esteemed Turin-based art dealer, Luciano Anselmino, who had originally commissioned the series. These works were subsequently showcased in Ferrara in 1976. Additionally, Monzino was a central figure in curating Warhol’s posthumous exhibition in Venice in 1988.
Monzino’s passion for art began with Japanese artworks, moving to African and Oceanic objects. He dedicated considerable energies to the promotion of primitive art and traditions, organizing talks and academic conferences attended by experts on indigenous African culture.
Monzino’s collection started as early as the 1960s, revealing an exceptional taste for quality objects. He was an astute businessman who acquired art as an investment, allowing him to expand his collection through the sale of pieces that had increased in value. His collection grew to become one of the most important in private hands, with pieces now found in major museums and collections around the world.
Among the many celebrities and personalities Warhol immortalized, Carlo Monzino emerges as one of the most discreet and reserved. Hailing from a prosperous entrepreneurial lineage in Milan, Monzino cultivated his passion for art while living in London. There, he delved into the realm of auction houses and art connoisseurs. Over time, his collection flourished, spanning post-war masterpieces, primitive art, and beyond.
Monzino’s approach to primitive art largely focused on the artistic qualities of sculptures rather than their original use and context. His exploration of the aesthetic criteria of African art was at the core of the exhibition held in 1986 at the Center of African Art (now the Africa Center) in New York, entitled “African Aesthetics: The Carlo Monzino Collection.”
Dr. Carlo Monzino by Andy Warhol celebrates a visionary collector who shaped the Italian art scene. The painting’s rich colors and expressive features reflect the profound connection between Warhol and Monzino, a bond that transcended mere acquaintance. This portrait is a testament to Monzino’s commitment to making the artistic forms of the world known in Italy and his profound impact on the art world.
