Patrizio di Massimo (born 1983, Jesi, Italy) is a contemporary artist based in London. He is recognised for his self-portraits and paintings depicting family and friends.
Early life and education
Di Massimo was born in Jesi, in the Italian region of Marche. He received his bachelor’s degree from the Brera Academy in Milan and later graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art in London.
Work
Di Massimo's work is influenced by early 20th-century art movements, particularly the Italian Return to Order and the German New Objectivity. His portraiture explores themes of power, seduction, consensus, and co-optation. His subjects include self-portraits where he appears in various disguises, as well as portraits of family and friends depicted in intimate, theatrical scenes. His work has been noted for its engagement with masculinity and queerness, often incorporating erotic undertones that challenge conventional representations of the male body and the male gaze.
Di Massimo employs the glazing technique. Before focusing exclusively on painting, he experimented with performance art, video, and installation. Between 2012 and 2015, his work incorporated decorative elements such as cushions, tassels, curtains, and trimmings.
Exhibitions
Di Massimo has held solo exhibitions at institutions including Castello di Rivoli, Rivoli-Turin (2021), Kunsthalle Lissabon, Lisbon (2014), Gasworks, London (2013), Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (2012), and Whitechapel Art Gallery (2009), London (2009). Writing for Artforum, Pier Paolo Pancotto described his 2014 solo show "Are Ere Ire" as "an astonishing anthology of visual and intellectual interpretations of [identity and the continuous mutation to which it can be subjected]."
His work has also been featured in group exhibitions at Hangar Bicocca, Milan (2017), Fiorucci Art Trust, London (2015), Triennale di Milano, Milan (2015), Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin (2013), MAXXI, Rome (2012). He was one of eight artists featured in I'm Here But You're Gone, a scent-based art exhibition at the Fiorucci Art Trust.
From 25 February 2026 - 12 April 2026, the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art exhibited Patrizio di Massimo: Between Us. The exhibit featured works created from 2020 to 2026 and was co-organised with the Consulate General of Italy.
References
Further reading Barbara Casavecchia, Patrizio Di Massimo. Antologia / Anthology (2013-2023), Quodlibet, Macerata 2023. ISBN 978-88-229-2040-9. Vincenzo de Bellis, Alessandro Rabottini, Strata: Arte italiana dal 2000. Le parole degli artisti, Lenz, Milano 2023. ISBN 979-12-80579-24-9. Damiano Gullì, Pittura italiana oggi / Italian Painting Today, Electa, Milano 2023, ISBN 978-88-928-2508-6. Martin Herbert, 'Patrizio Di Massimo', Artforum, November 2023, vol. 62, no. 3. ‘Patrizio Di Massimo, The Escalator Cycle’, Castello di Rivoli, June 2021. Patrizio Di Massimo and Stella Bottai, Patrizio Di Massimo, CURA., Milan 2019. ISBN 978-88-99776-24-4. João Mourão and Luis Silva, ‘Patrizio Di Massimo in Conversation with João Mourão & Luís Silva’, Cura Magazine, Summer 2014, no. 17, p. 104-115. Amy Sherlock, ‘Guilty pleasures at home and far away', Frieze, June–July-August 2014, no. 164, p. 162-163. Jennifer Thatcher, ‘Patrizio Di Massimo. The Lustful Turk’, ArtReview, December 2013, p. 126. Hendrick Folkerts, Inti Guerrero, Alessandro Rabottini, ‘Focus #2: Patrizio Di Massimo’, Cookie and Luz, December 2012. Rebecca Geldard, ‘Patrizio Di Massimo’, MAP Magazine, no. 24, p. 26-27. Hans Ulrich Obrist, ‘Mor(t)al landscape’, Kaleidoscope, April–May 2010, p. 30-33. Francesco Arena and Patrizio Di Masimo, ‘Introducing Fancesco Arena and Patrizio Di Massimo’, Mousse Magazine, April 2010, no. 23, p. 176-177. Alessandro Rabottini, ‘An Immense Bluff. The Italian artist Patrizio Di Massimo’s Journey to Libya’, Kaleidoscope, Summer 2009, no. 2, p. 126-129.