Renato Guttuso — Painting Gallery of an Untamed Creator

Renato Guttuso — a true Sicilian, whose life and artistic path were shaped by the traditional Sicilian cart. A source of pride for Sicilian families, it became a symbol of art for the young child. While little Renato gazed at the painted panels of the cart, destiny was already sketching his extraordinary journey. Everything he later created has its roots in what he saw, felt, and lived through.

Destiny makes no mistakes, and Renato devoted himself to painting despite poverty and the difficult early years of his creative life in Rome. He designed shop windows and wrote articles that were poorly paid. Two of his works were accepted for the Rome Quadriennale (Quadriennale di Roma). Guttuso lived modestly until his work began to attract attention. From that moment on, his life followed the path described by his friend Marino Mazzacurati, who nicknamed him “the Untamed Guttuso.” Here you can explore his biography.

We always place great value on the reflections of artists — they are an inseparable part of true painting. This is how Renato Guttuso expressed his thoughts:

In my view, the creativity of an artist has a dual nature. At certain moments it is directly connected with specific events. An artist cannot avoid what is dictated by a sense of duty; he cannot ignore themes related to the history of his country or of the world. Yet he must be sincere. He must have courage — the courage to act as he believes is right, even if he goes against the current.

One striking example is the painting Crucifixion, completed in 1941, which made Guttuso an enemy of both the Church and the Fascists. Through allegory, he told the story of a human being who perishes under torture, dies in agony, and pays with his life for remaining faithful to the idea of justice.

For this gallery we have selected more than 200 key works by Renato Guttuso, created between 1934 and 1986. With respect for the Italian master, we affirm:

• He is one of the most honest artists — his canvases are a direct continuation of his character and convictions.
• The emotional power of Guttuso’s paintings is inseparable from his colour palette and compositional structure.
• Paintings of a sincere human being, filtered through a clear and uncompromising prism of emotion.

Everything seems to tear apart in the people and subjects of Guttuso’s work. A furious expressiveness of contrasts unfolds the emotions of situations, figures, and objects, filling everything with an untamed rhythm tinged with phantasmagoria. Are these branches or arms? Is it joy or a ritual frenzy? It is action charged like compressed springs in the hand of the master.

Renato Guttuso - Ragazze di Palermo

1940, 60 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso - Donne Discinte Olio Su Tela

1940, 60 × 40 cm

Renato Guttuso - Piccola nuda sdraiata

1940, 60 x 40 cm

Renato Guttuso -Crocifissione

1941, 200 × 200 cm

Renato Guttuso - Senza titolo

1941, 23 × 29 cm

Renato Guttuso - Ballo campestre

1945, 37 x 41 cm

Renato Guttuso - L’occupazione delle terre

1947, 99 x 150 cm

Renato Guttuso - Marsigliese contadina

1947, 151 x 208 cm

Renato Guttuso - L’uccisione della mafia

1947, 146 x 247 cm

Renato Guttuso - L’uccisione della mafia

1948, 61 x 91 cm

Renato Guttuso - Braccianti agricoli

1949, 60 x 83 cm

Renato Guttuso - I tagliaboschi

1949, 116 x 89 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo nello studio

1949, 70 x 55 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nel centenario della nascita

1951, 51 x 73 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo

1951, ? 38 x 28 cm

Renato Guttuso - Boogie Woogie

1953, 170 x 205 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo Nero

1955, 100 x 127 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo Disteso

1955, 301 x 452 cm

Renato Guttuso - La Spiaggia

1955, 301 x 452 cm

Renato Guttuso - La Spiaggia

1955 - 1956, 301 x 452 cm

Renato Guttuso - La spiaggia

1955-1956, 81.5 x 58.5 cm

Renato Guttuso - Coltivazione del limone nel napoletano

1956, 125 x 160 cm

Renato Guttuso - La strada

1956, 152 x 190 cm

Renato Guttuso - Giocatori di carte

1957, 106,6 x 132 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo sdraiato

1957, 70 x 55 cm

Renato Guttuso - Ragazza nuda

1957, 92,5 x 73,5 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo

1957, 71 x 114 cm

Renato Guttuso - La discussione

1959, ? x ? cm

Renato Guttuso - La discussione

1959 - 1960, 90 x 100 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo Sdraiato

1960, 69,5 x 99 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo con drappo bianco

1960, 127 x 100 cm

Renato Guttuso - Donna distesa

1963, 60 x 80 cm

Renato Guttuso - Incendio alla Cancelleria Apostolica

1966, 140 x 155 cm

Renato Guttuso - Il Caffè Greco

1976, 186 x 243 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudi di Schiena

1975, 82 x 102 cm

Renato Guttuso - Il Caffè Greco

1976, 60 x 80 cm

Renato Guttuso - Cimitero di macchine

1978, 70 x 90 cm

Renato Guttuso - Van Gogh con l’orecchio tagliato

1978, 238 x 300 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo sdraiato di schiena

1980, 43,5 x 65,5 cm

Renato Guttuso - Melancholia Nova

1980, 73 x 63,6 cm

Renato Guttuso - Spes contra spem

1982, 224 x 300 cm

Renato Guttuso - Gineceo

1985, 70 x 90 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nudo fra le siepi

1985, 129.3 x 153.5 cm

Renato Guttuso - Nella stanza le donne vanno e vengono

1986, 40 x 30 cm

The unbearable weight of existence in the portrait gallery of the Italian master. The essence of the sitters’ thoughts, their anxiety and suffering, revealed through a kaleidoscope of styles. The works are arranged chronologically, yet there is no conventional evolution of technique here — only truth and mastery as a given.

Renato Guttuso - La madre

1937, 60 × 48 cm

Renato Guttuso - Alberto Moravia

1940, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Balcone

1942, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Donna alla finestra

1942, 100 × 120 cm

Renato Guttuso - Ritratto di Marta

1946, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - La cucitrice

1947, 145 × 96 cm

Renato Guttuso - La grande lavandaia

1947, 102 × 61 cm

Renato Guttuso - Le cucitrici

1947, 100 × 81 cm

Renato Guttuso - Massacro d agnelli

1947, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Sulfur miner

1947, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Testa di donna

1947, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Interno

1948, 48 × 59 cm

Renato Guttuso - Melon eaters

1948, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Boscaiolo

1950, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Colheita de cafe

1950, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Contadino calabrese

1950, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Pescatore siciliano sicilian fisherman

1950, 105 × 89 cm

Renato Guttuso - Pescatori a riposo

1950, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Pablo Neruda

1954, 92 × 74 cm

Renato Guttuso - Figura di giovaneolio su tela

1952, 124 × 50 cm

Renato Guttuso - Uomo che mangia gli spaghetti

1956, 80 × 87 cm

Renato Guttuso - Il fumatore

1958, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Man walking

1958, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Autoritratto con maglione

1960, 115 × 89 cm

Renato Guttuso - Ritratto di Genni De Ponti

1960, 101 × 82 cm

Renato Guttuso - Rocco with a gramophone

1960, 188 × 152 cm

Renato Guttuso - Stiratrice e ragazzo di Caravaggio

1974, 125 × 205 cm

Renato Guttuso - Donna con il gatto

1962, — × — cm

Renato Guttuso - Ritratto di Moravia

1982, — × — cm

Italy, where the meaning of food goes far beyond simple nourishment. Thoughts of taste, scent, and colour are embodied in Guttuso’s still lifes. It is as if the artist were saying: “This is magnificent, because these simple products were grown by simple people; they rest on simple tables under the sun and wind of Italy.”

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta col basko

1934, 44 × 55 cm

Renato Guttuso – Fiasco candela bollitore

1940, 54 × 73 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con lampada

1940, 55 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – La gabbia rosa

1941, 55 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Fiasco foglie e cappello nero

1941

Renato Guttuso – Arance

1941, 50 × 65 cm

Renato Guttuso – Gabbia e cappello verde

1941, 63 × 44 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1941, 55 × 40 cm

Renato Guttuso – La finestra blu

1941, 45 × 50 cm

Renato Guttuso – Un angolo dello studio di via Pompeo Magno

1941, 80 × 65 cm

Renato Guttuso – Cestino con fiaschi

1941, 47 x 59 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con drappo rosso

1942, 110 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta sul tavolo rosso

1942, 60 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Arance sulla sedia

1956, 39 × 55 cm

Renato Guttuso – Still life

1956, 70 × 60 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1956, 58 × 63 cm

Renato Guttuso – Le damigiane

1959, 116 × 89 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1960, 89 × 116 cm

Renato Guttuso – Olio su tela testo

1960, 49 × 49 cm

Renato Guttuso – Potatoes on yellow paper

1960, 70 × 85 cm

Renato Guttuso – Interno con accessori di studio

1960, 156 × 205 cm

Renato Guttuso – Angolo dello studio a via Pompeo Magno

1942, 80 × 65 cm

Renato Guttuso – Bucranio e foglie di cavolo

1942

Renato Guttuso – Fork glasand pincers

1946, 55 × 65 cm

Renato Guttuso – Paperoni e moccolo

1946, 50 × 60 cm

Renato Guttuso – Interno studio

1947, 97 × 146 cm

Renato Guttuso – Lattiera e teiera

1947, 34 × 41 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con candela

1947, 55 × 65 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con pianoforte

1947, 97 × 146 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con la scure

1947, 131 × 97 cm

Renato Guttuso – Still life with pitcher teapot and bottles

1947, 55 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta notturna

1948, 131 × 97 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1956, 55 × 55 cm

Renato Guttuso – Oranges on a chair

1956, 39 × 55 cm

Renato Guttuso – La finestra dello studio

1956, 140 × 115 cm

Renato Guttuso – Untitled

1957, 35 × 50 cm

Renato Guttuso – Carciofi

1958, 50 × 60 cm

Renato Guttuso – Pomodori

1951, 75 × 95 cm

Renato Guttuso – Guttuso e gli amici di Corrente

1958, 66 × 93 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1958, 92 × 112 cm

Renato Guttuso – Portacenere

1958

Renato Guttuso – Damigiana e bottacino

1959, 110 × 140 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con lampadina

1959, 42 × 56 cm

Renato Guttuso – Interno con accessori di studio

1960, 156 × 205 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1960, 89 × 116 cm

Renato Guttuso – Oggetti su via Leonina

1961, 180 × 85 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1961, 51 × 76 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta

1962, 53 × 73 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con pomodori e giornali

1962, 96 × 81 cm

Renato Guttuso – Scrivania e libri

1962, 57 × 90 cm

Renato Guttuso – Vaso di fiori

1962, 76 × 56 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con lemon

1963, 60 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Untitled two corn husks

1965

Renato Guttuso – Passeggiata notturna

1966

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con pere

1967, 50 × 60 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta signed and dated

1968, 75 × 93 cm

Renato Guttuso – Pomodori

1968, 50 × 60 cm

Renato Guttuso – Cavolfiore

1973, 61 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta con telefono e caffettiera

1973, 80 × 100 cm

Renato Guttuso – Peperoncini

1975

Renato Guttuso – Oggetti sul tavolo

1979, 70 × 55 cm

Renato Guttuso – Pianta

1980

Renato Guttuso – Foglie di nespolo e colomba

1981, 97 × 125 cm

Renato Guttuso – The lemons

1981, 33 × 22 cm

Renato Guttuso – Uovo e drappo bianco

1981, 70 × 104 cm

Renato Guttuso – Interno

1982, 99 × 69 cm

Renato Guttuso – Angurie

1982, 31 × 45 cm

Renato Guttuso – Natura morta a velate

1983, 70 × 90 cm

Renato Guttuso – Mostra Corato

1984, 59 × 65 cm

Renato Guttuso – Angurie

1986, 90 × 100 cm

Renato Guttuso – Barattoli e tubetti di colore

1986, 60 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Aranci su sedia

1986, 80 x 128 cm

Italy is always present in the artist’s landscapes — its roads, houses, and mountains. Guttuso painted in an angular manner, leaning toward Cubism, yet it is clear that he was not concerned with constructing a style in the way that, for example, Picasso was. He painted as he wished. One element, however, unites these works: contrast. Guttuso is associated with Italian Neorealism and Neo-Cubism, but one thing is certain — for him, black was merely a tool to elevate everything else.

Renato Guttuso – Campagna romana

1946, 50 × 60 cm

Renato Guttuso – Il merlo

1947, 60 × 81 cm

Renato Guttuso – House in trees

1947, 55 × 46 cm

Renato Guttuso – Nel giardino

1948, 60 × 79 cm

Renato Guttuso – Balcone a Scilla

1950, 38 × 46 cm

Renato Guttuso – Bosco

1951, 73 × 92 cm

Renato Guttuso – Paesaggio di Anacapri

1954, - x - cm

Renato Guttuso – Anacapri

1954, 49 × 37 cm

Renato Guttuso – Risultato

1955, 50 × 60 cm

Renato Guttuso – Santa Panagia, Sicily

1956, 69 × 78 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di Roma

1957, 64 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tramonto sul lago di Varese da Velate

1958, 73 × 90 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di Roma

1959, 64 × 80 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di Velate

1960

Renato Guttuso – Autunno a Velate

1961, 74 × 92 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di Roma su via Leonina

1962, 100 × 81 cm

Renato Guttuso – I tetti

1962, 72 × 90 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di via Leonina

1962, 100 × 81 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti romani del rione Monti

1962, 105 × 94 cm

Renato Guttuso – Velate

1963, 100 × 100 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di Palermo

1963, 89 × 130 cm

Renato Guttuso – Paesaggio di Velate

1963, 81 × 100 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di Roma

1964, 80 × 70 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tramonto sul Monte Rosa

1968, 73 × 93 cm

Renato Guttuso – Rooftops in Rome

1973, 70 × 85 cm

Renato Guttuso – Case di Palermo

1976, 50 × 70 cm

Renato Guttuso – Terrazzino e tetti a Kalsa, Palermo

1976, 60 × 50 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti di Palermo

1976, 130 × 153 cm

Renato Guttuso – Ulivi di Puglia

1979, 90 × 110 cm

Renato Guttuso – Passeggiata in giardino a Velate

1983, 121 × 149 cm

Renato Guttuso – Tetti su via Leonina

1983, 60 × 73 cm

Renato Guttuso – Fichi d’India

1985, 80 × 100 cm

Renato Guttuso – Nel bosco di Velate

1985, 110 × 150 cm

Renato Guttuso – Palermo

1985, 140 × 170 cm

In the first studio of the Gostev’s dynasty there was a book of reproductions of Renato Guttuso’s paintings, with La nuvola rossa on a hard, glossy cover. Anatoli Gostev admired the boldness of Guttuso’s painting and his colour palette, where masterful use of contrast preserves fragments of life like chaotically cut and frozen frames. One day he opened the book, studied the reproductions, and read aloud a quote by Guttuso:

Peace is the fundamental condition for the existence of culture. If peace is drained of blood, if it is torn apart and destroyed, then culture becomes meaningless, because life itself has been annihilated. By striving for peace, we express our love for life, for its values, for art and for thought. We artists think in images. To think is also a way of acting — awakening feelings in people and helping them to understand one another.

— Renato Guttuso (1911–1987)

An artist carries his own cross, and the cross of Renato Guttuso is like a beautifully painted Sicilian cart of a great peacemaker and humanist of the twentieth century. He filled it with paintings that will forever astonish the universe with the depth of thought and the emotion of truth. And before turning to the more mercantile paragraph on the price of Guttuso’s paintings, we would like to enrich the gallery with photographs from Villa Cattolica — Museo Guttuso in Bagheria, where, alongside the artist’s works and their honest emotions, you will see the Sicilian cart that inspired him and shaped his destiny.

Renato Guttuso - Museum

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - Burial place

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Entrance to the museum Renato Guttuso

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Tombstone of Renato Guttuso

The work of the sculptor Giacomo Manzu

Renato Guttuso posters

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - Hitchcock poster

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - Hall with paintings

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - sculptures

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - photo with Picasso

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - exhibition of paintings

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - Sicilian cart

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - Sicilian cart

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - Bagheria

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

Renato Guttuso - Villa Cattolica

Villa Cattolica In Bagheria

In assessing the work of Renato Guttuso, relying on our own judgments and criteria, a sense of taste, and the emotional power of the Italian master’s canvases, we have selected four paintings. One of the dynasty’s principles states:

A person’s character is their destiny.

Renato Guttuso embodies unrestrained courage and bravery. There was no pretense in either his life or his art. Guttuso did not strive to be fashionable, nor did he chase styles — he simply painted as he felt. This sets him apart from certain so-called “blue-chip” artists such as Klimt or Picasso.

The works we selected are those direct, uncompromising canvases where everything came together — composition, color, and emotion. According to Gostev's appraisal, it is precisely these works that reveal Guttuso’s genius:

Renato Guttuso - Donne che preparano l'estratto di pomodoro

1948, 48.5 x 60 cm

Renato Guttuso - Carro

1956, 120 x 145 cm

Renato Guttuso - La spiaggia

1957, 94 x 101 cm

Renato Guttuso – La nuvola rossa

1956, 130 x 161 cm