Venice, Colourful Prints

Rubens Santoro, an Italian painter born on October 26, 1859, in Mongrassano, province of Cosenza, was the son of a wood sculptor. At the age of ten, he moved to Naples to pursue literary studies, yet his true passion lay in painting. Largely self-taught, Santoro found his greatest teacher in nature itself, beginning to exhibit his works as early as 1874. His debut piece, 'Una ragazza che ride' (A Girl Laughing), a small genre scene, caught the attention of Domenico Morelli, who became a significant encourager of his early career. Santoro's oeuvre is predominantly characterized by landscape painting, with his initial works capturing the vistas of Granatello near Naples. His talent was recognized by Marià Fortuny, who praised Santoro's naturalistic approach and encouraged him to continue studying from life. Santoro's artistic journey took him across various locales, including Torre Annunziata, Castellammare di Stabia, Procida, the Amalfi Coast, and Resina, with his Amalfi landscapes notably purchased by the Gallerie Goupil. His participation in the 1877 Naples Exposition with 'Marina di Maiuri' and 'Grotta degli Zingari' marked the beginning of his acclaim. By the 1880 Turin Exposition, Santoro had presented a collection of works from Capri, earning the admiration of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita, the latter acquiring his painting 'Giovinezza' (Youth). Santoro's legacy is that of a painter who, eschewing formal academic training, captured the essence of the Italian landscape with a freshness and vitality that resonated with both his contemporaries and patrons.