Flavio Orlando Brings Classical Technique to Contemporary Italian Painting
Roman painter Flavio Orlando bridges classical artistic traditions and contemporary hyper-connected imagery, according to an interview published by exibart. Born in Rome in 1991, the emerging artist uses traditional mediums like oil and acrylic to examine human emotions and societal relationships through genres including portraiture, landscape, and still life.
From Comic Book Studies to Academy Training
Orlando originally pursued comic books, attending a specialized school for three years where he first studied painting to structure his illustration work. That technical exploration led him to enroll in the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome to deepen his skills. The encounter with painting proved decisive, prompting him to abandon comics for a full-time career in fine art.
His creative process begins well before touching a canvas. He uses photography and photomontages to build initial architectural plans, treating his works as structured drawings translated into color.
Historical Masters Inform Modern Visuals
Orlando draws inspiration from an eclectic pantheon of historical masters across different eras and geographies. His acknowledged references include Diego Velázquez, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Édouard Manet, Camille Corot, Johannes Vermeer, Francisco Goya, Pieter Bruegel, Canaletto, and Titian. Among living artists, he follows the work of David Hockney.
Despite working in an era dominated by digital culture, Orlando states that contemporary social and political events influence his daily practice quasi zero
beyond broad economic realities like art sales.
Orlando Creates Monumental Paintings with Traditional Composition
Recent pieces by Orlando showcase his focus on monumental scale and traditional composition. Notable works cited by exibart include:
- Lasagna (2026): Oil and acrylic on paper applied to panel, measuring 45 by 60 centimeters.
- 22:30 (2025): Acrylic and oil on canvas, measuring 130 by 110 centimeters.
- 23:30 (2024): Oil on canvas, measuring 60 by 200 centimeters.
- The Fall (2024): Oil on canvas, measuring 170 by 120 centimeters, held in the Fabio Frasca Collection.
Orlando’s paintings have recently reached wider audiences through group exhibitions such as Ensemble, a large collective showcase featuring contemporary Italian painters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flavio Orlando
Does Flavio Orlando use artificial intelligence in his art?
Orlando does not use artificial intelligence generators for his final compositions. He incorporates photography and digital photomontages solely during the initial planning phase before beginning the physical painting process.
What mediums does Flavio Orlando use?
He works primarily with oil and acrylic paints applied to canvas, wood panels, or paper, relying heavily on underlying preparatory drawings.
Where was Flavio Orlando born and where does he work?
He was born in Rome in 1991, where he lives and maintains his active studio practice.