Attilio Salemme (October 11, 1911 – January 24, 1955) was an American painter and muralist. He was known for his Surrealist works.
Life and career Attilio Salemme was born on October 11, 1911, in Chestnut Hill a village near Boston in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. His older step-brother was a painter and sculptor, Antonio Salemme (1892–1995). Salemme joined the United States Marine Corps at age 16. By age 18 in the 1930s, he moved to New York City.
He didn't have any formal training in art, but his older brother taught him to paint. His first solo exhibition was in 1945, at Sixtyseven Gallery in New York City. He painted rooftop murals for the Manhattan House residential building in 1951.
Salemme painted surreal rectangular figures, reminiscent of works by Wifredo Lam and Paul Klee. He was friends with sculptor Alexander Calder.
Salemme was married to painter Lucia Autorino, and in the 1950s they lived at 20 Commerce Street in Greenwich Village. They had two sons.
Death and legacy On January 24, 1955, Salemme had a heart attack at age 43 while riding on the bus. He took a taxi to Bellevue Hospital where he died shortly upon arrival. He was survived by his wife and children.
Museum collections
Publications
References
External links Attilio and Lucia Salemme papers, 1933-1955, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution