Biography and artistic career

Giuseppe Civitelli was born in 1907 in Aiello Calabro. After completing his secondary education, he obtained his primary school teaching qualification in 1926. From an early age, he showed a keen interest in drawing and painting, which complemented his vocation for teaching.

From 1932 to 1943, he taught and held management positions in several Italian schools abroad. This period led him to live in various European cities, notably Bern, Barcelona, Budapest, Tirana, Munich and Metz, enriching his international cultural experience.

In 1943, the war forced him to leave Germany. Upon his return to Italy, he remained in Aiello Calabro until 1945. In 1947, he was appointed headmaster of the « Umberto Cerboni » school in Rome, a post he held for many years. There, he revived the ceramics workshop with master ceramist Alvaro Ciancamerla, trained in clay techniques and developed his own style through vases and panels, whilst continuing to draw and paint.

His meeting with the sculptor Marino Mazzacurati marked a decisive turning point. Introduced to the Roman art scene, Giuseppe Civitelli played a part in the post-war revival of Italian ceramics, helping to establish a Roman scene distinct from the traditions of Faenza, Florence and Albisola.

Work and Legacy

Between 1952 and 1973, Giuseppe Civitelli exhibited regularly in solo and group exhibitions. His work attracted attention and won numerous awards, cementing his place in the post-war Italian art scene.

Giuseppe Civitelli passed away in Rome on 30 November 1990. His works are now held in several major institutions, including the International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza, the Museum of Rome at Palazzo Braschi, MACRO and the National Museum of Crafts in Florence.

His work has been the subject of several posthumous exhibitions (London, 2009; Aiello Calabro, 2011; Milan, 2022), reflecting the enduring interest in his work, which is also present on the international art market.