Welcome to the world of
Antonio Bernardini
An exceptional artist whose work was discovered by members of his family.
His artwork is a testament to the power of creativity and the human spirit. Through his art, we are transported to another world, where colors come to life and emotions run deep.
Join us on a journey of exploration as we immerse ourselves in the mind of one of the greatest Italian artists of our time.
Antonio Bernardini (1920-1989) was a director of the civic museum and municipal art gallery of Barletta, which he led for almost twenty years.
He is known for his solitary battles in defense of culture and the museum institution against the indifference of local politics.
Native of Trinitapoli and coming from a family of Tuscan origins, Bernardini obtained a painting diploma from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. He was also an art professor in several schools in Puglia.
During his direction, he made the huge heritage of the museum and art gallery, including the works of De Nittis, more accessible to visitors in the former Dominican convent of Barletta in Corso Cavour.
Over a thousand canvases and drawings were discovered, divided and stored in the homes of his grandchildren.
These works, which cover the 1950s until 1989, the last year of his life, reflect the evolution of his career.
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Bernardini began with more realistic pieces, but over the years developed as a primarily expressionist painter. Works less anchored to reality express his subjective experience and an extremely personal vision. His collection of ink drawings depicting historical places in the cities and countryside was highly appreciated in Barletta. However, it is the colors and the original style of his paintings, with which he interpreted people and surrounding landscapes, that are most striking in his works.
The discovery of the paintings highlights that Bernardini also created series, the largest one was created when he concluded his activity as director of the museum, characterized by the representation of deformed olive trees and a series of paintings dominated by the color blue.
During the discovery of Bernardini's works, various letters and diaries were also found.
According to those who knew him well, he was a kind person and passionate about art and animals, but frustrated by human hypocrisy and disinterest towards the civic museum he directed. He never married or had children. He loved animals and lived with dogs, cats and an infinite number of canvases, painting materials and various objects from all over the world which he collected and catalogued.
Often, with his bicycle and a radio, he headed towards the countryside of Barletta. He was accompanied by his faithful dogs and other strays who waited for him every day during his walks.
Although he was cultured and interesting, he was not always treated with the respect he deserved due to his unconventional lifestyle.
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The discovery and promotion of this artist's incredible works will contribute to a more in-depth understanding of the cultural scene in Southern Italy in the second half of the twentieth century.
The discovery and valorization of the works of this precious artist will contribute to a more in-depth understanding of the cultural scene in Southern Italy in the second half of the Twentieth Century.
On this site there are photographs of some representative paintings of each decade,
some of which are part of larger series he created.