The vast network of interconnecting lines, depth of colors, and repeating shapes of Gianluca’s Franzese’s artwork is the luminous expression of an artist whose intention is to create balance and harmony by using geometry.
With an intention to find “balance” in his work, Franzese is an artist unconstrained by even his own methods. Working with no standard format or formula, each panel and canvas created by Franzese is its own singular creation.
Born in Italy, Franzese has been around precious metals his whole life. His father was a jeweler and thus a young Gianluca was exposed to the craftsmanship of metal leafing at an early age.
The family moved to New York, where Franzese attended the prestigious Pratt Institute of Art before following his roots back to Italy where Franzese abandoned the contemporary art world and steeped himself in the traditional styles and methods of the old masters at the esteemed Florence Academy of Art. He spent four years in Florence learning the craft of sight size, sculpture and mixing paints.
With his classical training complete, Franzese moved back to the US and settled in San Francisco where the artist lives, works and plays today. The skillful young artist quickly achieved success in San Francisco including being commissioned to create a series of paintings for the historic Presidio Foundation.
Franzese would soon take another sabbatical to Italy where he worked for private clients in a mélange of art mediums, including decorative painting where he honed his skill at metal leafing and trompe-l’œil.
At a career crossroads Franzese returned to his studio in San Francisco.
Inspired by the glimmering gold leaf work of Gustav Klimt, the smooth shapes and designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, the groundbreaking pattern work of William Morris, and the facets of Art Deco, Franzese fused his varied inspirations. Summoning his skills and creativity, Franzese began his exploration of mixing glazing techniques on metal leaf.
Franzese’s view of the art studio as laboratory allowed him the freedom to learn the flexibility and tone of different metal leafs and how to create different colors and luminosity. As his exploration and craftsmanship evolved, Franzese began to form various geometric styles and patterns bending the viewer’s eye and imagination.
Without a finished design in mind, Franzese’s work is an intuitive process. The artist is guided by his response to the color, luminosity and vibrancy towards which each work gravitates.
Gianluca Franzese has forged a novel, expressive and evolutionary style of art whose core is manifesting balance and harmony with geometric configurations. At his studio laboratory he labors daily to explore new directions, colors and patterns to create balance. Each work of art is embedded with hand-layered metal leafs, variations of handmade glazes and Franzese’s unique style and creativity.
Franzese’s meticulous handcrafted and evolving work is regularly commissioned for private collectors, public institutions and corporate foundations. Contact the artist to learn more.
Curriculum Vitae
Private Collections
- Tiffany & Co., Milan, Italy
- Museo Italo Americano, San Francisco, CA
- Facebook HQ, Menlo Park, CA
Museum Exhibitions
September 30, 2023-January 7, 2024
The de Young Open 2023
de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
January 18–April 29, 2018
PERSPECTIVES Works by Gianluca Franzese, Marietta Patricia Leis and Giuseppe Palumbo
Museo Italo Americano, San Francisco, CA
Publications
- ” Happy Place” Architectural Digest, April 2024 issue, p118
- Cover Magazine, issue 62/spring 2021 Matrix Collaboration with Topfloor by Esti Barnes
- Country & Townhouse, p. 55 march/April 2021, Matrix collaboration with Topfloor by Esti Barnes
- The World of Interior, p. 33 March 2021, Matrix collaboration with Topfloor by Esti Barnes
- Sleeper, 2012, Matrix collaboration with Topfloor by Esti Barnes
- Interior Design, Spring Market Tabloid, Matrix collaboration with Topfloor by Esti Barnes
- Interdisciplinary Thinking for Schools: Ethical Dilemmas, Dr. Meredith Harbord & Sara Riaz Khan
- “Una Galleria Vista Duomo,” Architectural Digest (Italy), September 2017 issue, p. 64
- “Cresciuto Tra La Gemme,” La Repubblica Della Donna, July 2017 issue. p. 80
- “Cacciatori del bello.” Vanity Fair (Italy), Christina Manfredi, July 2017 issue
- “Gianluca Franzese: Graphite and Gold,” Juxtapoz, Matt Gonzalez, October 2013 issue, pp. 32-33
- “Weinstein Gallery to Present Three New Artists in Their San Francisco Debut,” PRNewswire, 2003
Artist Residence
- Space Program 2024. San Francisco, CA
- Facebook HQ, Menlo Park, CA
- Art Ventures, Summer 2022, Half Moon Bay, CA
Collaboration
- Matrix, Topfloor by Esti
- The Art Series Scarves with Amelia Graham
Contest
The De Young Open 2023
Charles Schwab print program