Vittorio Grassi Biography
Vittorio Grassi, born in Rome in 1878, was a painter, decorator and director of the illustrative part of the Treccani Encyclopedia. After completing his classical studies, he decided to dedicate himself to art, self-taught. His first painting, "Temporale a Maccarese", was exhibited in Rome in 1904 and subsequently purchased by the Queen Mother. Since then, he began to obtain recognition and important positions. Grassi was also a skilled decorator, working in book illustration, furniture fitting, engraving, and stained glass. He contributed to the organization of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome and exhibited his painting "Ascension" at the International Exhibition of Rome in 1911. In addition to painting, he dedicated himself to illustrations for periodicals, the design and decoration of homes. He also collaborated with magazines such as "Novissima" and "La Casa". Furthermore, he became interested in ceramics and the creation of costumes and sets for the theater. In the field of graphics, he was the author of several series of Italian stamps, including the famous "Italia turrita". Grassi was also a teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and at the Higher School of Architecture. In 1925, he participated in the creation of the Italian Encyclopedia of Sciences, Letters and Arts, directing the illustrative section. He died in Rome in 1958.