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Workshop auction: Jean Da Milano
Born and deceased in Nice, Jean Da Milano (1928–2017) was a painter and sculptor whose work—both abstract and surrealist—reflects his constant evolution as a self-taught artist.
Growing up in an artistically inclined family, Da Milano developed an interest in drawing and painting from a very young age. In the 1950s, while working in the construction and civil engineering sector, he devoted his free time to his passion for art. His artistic career began with figurative painting, initially focusing on landscapes. However, starting in 1965, his work took a new direction as he gradually moved away from figuration, turning instead toward more abstract compositions inspired by almost cosmic shapes and structures. At the same time, he joined the Association des Arts Plastiques Méditerranéens (APM), a collective that played an important role in his artistic development.
In 1959, he married Rosalie Delucis, with whom he had two children, while continuing to pursue and develop his art. This shift toward abstraction became more pronounced in the early 1970s, particularly after meeting the painter and writer André Verdet, whose influence proved to be decisive. In 1977, thanks to Verdet, he held his first solo exhibition at the Saint-Paul-de-Vence Museum, a milestone in the recognition of his work. On that occasion, Verdet wrote of Da Milano’s work that it possessed “great richness; if he had the opportunity to devote himself fully to his art, he would take his place among the greatest names in contemporary art.”
Following this first exhibition, Jean Da Milano’s work continued to gain visibility through other significant events. In 1981, he held a solo show at the Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport, a symbolic site that marked the growing recognition of his work. In 1982, he received an important distinction at the 195th Salon des Artistes Français, where he was one of 20 artists selected by Charles Jourdanet to exhibit in the Provence-Côte d’Azur Room of the Grand Palais in Paris, as part of the exhibition Art in the Provinces of France. The following year, in 1983, he received a silver medal at the Art Expo in New York, an international acknowledgment of his work.
Over the years, he took part in numerous exhibitions. In 1987, he participated in the 80/80 des Mutuelles de Franceexhibition at the Acropolis in Nice, alongside many artists of the École de Nice, including Arman, Ben, César, Albert Chubac, Juan Miró and Sacha Sosno. The following year, he held a solo exhibition at Acropolis, and in 1989 exhibited at the Isis Gallery in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. In 1992, a retrospective covering his artistic journey from 1970 to 1992 was organized at the Golden Gallery in Nice.
The 1990s also marked his exploration of new techniques. After moving through periods ranging from gestural abstraction to metaphysical surrealism, he ultimately synthesized his style through the technique of collaging crumpled paper onto canvas. It was through this final method that he achieved the fullest expression of his artistic language. Throughout his career, Jean Da Milano continuously sought new ways to express his vision of the world—a world in which abstraction meets matter and color, in a constant search for meaning.
Marked by continuous evolution and multiple influences, his work is now recognized as part of the contemporary art landscape, and his passion for art remains an inspiring example of dedication and tireless exploration.
Growing up in an artistically inclined family, Da Milano developed an interest in drawing and painting from a very young age. In the 1950s, while working in the construction and civil engineering sector, he devoted his free time to his passion for art. His artistic career began with figurative painting, initially focusing on landscapes. However, starting in 1965, his work took a new direction as he gradually moved away from figuration, turning instead toward more abstract compositions inspired by almost cosmic shapes and structures. At the same time, he joined the Association des Arts Plastiques Méditerranéens (APM), a collective that played an important role in his artistic development.
In 1959, he married Rosalie Delucis, with whom he had two children, while continuing to pursue and develop his art. This shift toward abstraction became more pronounced in the early 1970s, particularly after meeting the painter and writer André Verdet, whose influence proved to be decisive. In 1977, thanks to Verdet, he held his first solo exhibition at the Saint-Paul-de-Vence Museum, a milestone in the recognition of his work. On that occasion, Verdet wrote of Da Milano’s work that it possessed “great richness; if he had the opportunity to devote himself fully to his art, he would take his place among the greatest names in contemporary art.”
Following this first exhibition, Jean Da Milano’s work continued to gain visibility through other significant events. In 1981, he held a solo show at the Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport, a symbolic site that marked the growing recognition of his work. In 1982, he received an important distinction at the 195th Salon des Artistes Français, where he was one of 20 artists selected by Charles Jourdanet to exhibit in the Provence-Côte d’Azur Room of the Grand Palais in Paris, as part of the exhibition Art in the Provinces of France. The following year, in 1983, he received a silver medal at the Art Expo in New York, an international acknowledgment of his work.
Over the years, he took part in numerous exhibitions. In 1987, he participated in the 80/80 des Mutuelles de Franceexhibition at the Acropolis in Nice, alongside many artists of the École de Nice, including Arman, Ben, César, Albert Chubac, Juan Miró and Sacha Sosno. The following year, he held a solo exhibition at Acropolis, and in 1989 exhibited at the Isis Gallery in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. In 1992, a retrospective covering his artistic journey from 1970 to 1992 was organized at the Golden Gallery in Nice.
The 1990s also marked his exploration of new techniques. After moving through periods ranging from gestural abstraction to metaphysical surrealism, he ultimately synthesized his style through the technique of collaging crumpled paper onto canvas. It was through this final method that he achieved the fullest expression of his artistic language. Throughout his career, Jean Da Milano continuously sought new ways to express his vision of the world—a world in which abstraction meets matter and color, in a constant search for meaning.
Marked by continuous evolution and multiple influences, his work is now recognized as part of the contemporary art landscape, and his passion for art remains an inspiring example of dedication and tireless exploration.
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