MARCO GRASSI
Abstract Figurative | Lugano, Switzerland
Marco Grassi is an Italian-Swiss artist born in Milan in 1966, who now lives and works in Lugano, Switzerland. His dual cultural heritage, positioned between Italian expressiveness and Swiss precision, places him at the intersection of two rich artistic traditions. Growing up surrounded by Italy’s deep art-historical legacy and the refined sensibilities of the Swiss-Italian region has profoundly shaped his creative outlook and visual language.
Grassi maintains his studio in Lugano, where he produces works that combine hyper-realistic portraiture with elements of surrealism and abstract decoration. His paintings often depict female figures against luminous gold or metallic backgrounds, evoking both contemporary and classical iconography. He typically works in oil and resin on aluminium, and frequently incorporates gold or silver leaf to heighten the tactile and reflective qualities of his surfaces. His style has evolved over time from sharply defined outlines to a softer, more atmospheric integration of figure and background, creating a distinctive tension between precision and mystery.
Highly regarded in the contemporary art world, Grassi’s work is represented by leading galleries and collected internationally. His paintings appeal to those who appreciate technical mastery and emotional depth, as well as to collectors drawn to artists who bridge traditional and modern aesthetics. Earlier in his career, Grassi worked as a painting restorer for notable collections, including those of Norton Simon and Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, further cementing his reputation for craftsmanship and sensitivity to material. This blend of experience and artistry has contributed to his growing status as a sought-after name in modern figurative painting.
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