The work of Italian born artist Gian Berto Vanni remains obscure, despite his brilliant implementation of contradictory styles and his captivating use of colors and geometric shapes which have enchanted audiences for over 50 years. Although much of Vanni’s works have been paintings, in the mid-1950's Vanni ventured into commercial drawings through whimsical, semi-abstract children’s book illustrations. His book Love, which is a timeless classic, has delighted and moved readers of all ages since it was originally published in 1964.

Born in Rome in 1927, Vanni began painting early in his life and studied under the tutelage of many great masters in Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and Connecticut, when he won a Fulbright grant to study at Yale University. Gian Berto Vanni is currently a professor at The Cooper Union School of Art in New York. And although well into his 80's, Vanni remains a powerful force of creativity and energy, with his art seamlessly woven throughout the rich and colorful fabric of his life.

Vanni hosts a bi-annual open studio in SoHo where he sells his paintings to finance his travels which serve as the inspiration for many of his artistic works. http://gvanni.com