Like other artists from Lucania,
Andrea Petroni could study painting at “Istituto delle
Belle Arti” in Naples, thanks to the funding that the
Provinces of his region, Basilicata, gave to young
people from poor families, youngs endowed with
intelligence and willingness. He was born at Venosa on
the 8th July 1863, after primary school he starts
working as a copyist at the register office from his
birth town. He was noticed for his graphic capabilities
of “vero” sketching, he gets the grant and moves to
Naples, with the wish to attend the lectures of Domenico
Morelli. In 1910 he takes part to an exhibition in
Buenos Aires and to the international exhibition of IX
Venice Biennal. In 1911,for the last time he shows two
of his works in Naples at 'Salvator Rosa', the ones “
Nel bosco di San Cataldo” and “Tra Accettura e Stigliano”,
that were both bought by Giustino Fortunato. He moved to
Rome, where he lived for 30 years; he was asked to
decorate the little Parliament of the Ministry of
Agriculture, a work that was realized from 1924 to 1929
with the cycle: Carbone Bianco, Vendemmia, Pastorizia,
Arance, Pesca, Olivi, in which he makes experiments
about old techniques; this work deserves the compliments
of Gabriele D'Annunzio.
translation by Irene De Angelis
Curtis