Sandro Chia (born 1946) is an Italian painter and sculptor who was a central member of the Transavanguardia movement, the Italian counterpart to Neo-Expressionism. His work is known for its exuberant energy, monumental figures, and a playful engagement with the history of art. Chia’s paintings often feature heroic, muscular figures that seem to leap from the canvas, rendered with bold, sweeping brushstrokes.
Chia’s art is a celebration of the act of painting itself. He frequently references classical mythology and Renaissance art, but reinvents these themes with a modern, ironic twist. His use of color is intense and emotive, creating a sense of drama and vitality. Beyond painting, Chia is also an accomplished sculptor, bringing his dynamic figures into three-dimensional space. His contributions to the revival of figurative art in the 1980s have secured his place as one of the most influential Italian artists of his generation.