SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
The Italian painter and collagist Mario Schifano (1934–1998), born in Khoms, Libya, and who died in Rome, developed a practice that extends beyond painting: his work also encompassed film, music and photography. In his collages, advertising images, wrapping papers and painted elements combine in the spirit of Pop Art; his work frequently refers to popular culture as well as art history. In the 1980s, the series «Le Propaganda» draws on advertising brands, while exotic palm trees are among the recognised motifs in his paintings. He also addresses subjects related to nature, including fields, waves and deserts made using sand.
Schifano is associated with the Scuola romana, alongside Franco Angeli and Tano Festa. In 1962, his work was presented at the Sidney Janis Gallery in the exhibition «Nouveaux Réalistes», alongside, among others, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. He was invited to the Venice Biennale in 1982 and 1984.
A commission from an Italian collector living in Libya led him to produce a series of ten canvases there. During trips to the Middle East, Libya, Egypt and Jordan, he also collected materials for his paintings. His film work includes Reflex (1964), shot on 16 mm and eight minutes long, and Umano, non umano (1969), a 95-minute colour film.
This profile brings together identity references for Mario Schifano and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Dobiaschofsky · Piguet · Germann · Lempertz
References include catalogue entries and available results; they do not all represent completed sales. Attributed works and special lots are excluded from the priced results.
Oil on canvas
Quercia
huile sur toile
Catalogue period : 2026-06-24
Published result : 16513 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 12000–16000
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Oil on canvas
"Omaggio dalla Transavanguardia al Futurismo".
Öl auf Leinwand
Catalogue period : 2021-11-05
Published result : 3000 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 3000
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Acrylic on canvas
Ohne Titel
Acryl auf Leinwand
Catalogue period : 2021-09-29
Published result : 3877 CHF
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : CHF 3000–4000
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Acrylic on canvas
Gigli d'acqua
Acryl auf Leinwand
Auction date : 2021-06-18
Published result : 15000 EUR
Including buyer’s premium
Estimate : 7000
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Gouache
Senza Titolo
gouache
Catalogue period : 2020-11-24 — 2020-12-09
Published result : 3500 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 1000–1500
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Oil on canvas
3 poissons,
huile sur toile
Catalogue period : 2019-09-25
Published result : 1200 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 1200–1800
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Öl auf Leinwand mit Holzrahmen.
Date to be documented
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
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