With Josephine Bennet, Director of Manly Art Gallery & Museum and Prof.ssa Federica De Rosa, Naples Academy of Fine Arts
As the fifth event in the series “Traces of Italy: Legacies of Italians Shaping Australia’s Cultural Landscape” the Italian Cultural Institute of Sydney, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Sydney, is proud to present a special evening dedicated to the remarkable artistic legacy of Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo.
Born in Naples and trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Dattilo-Rubbo migrated to Australia in the early 20th century, where he became a transformative figure in the evolution of Australian art. A passionate and progressive teacher, he taught at the Royal Art Society, the Sydney Art School and his own schools, mentoring a generation of groundbreaking Australian artists, including Grace Cossington Smith, Roy de Maistre, and Roland Wakelin. His bold embrace of post-impressionism and European modernist ideas helped catalyse a shift in the country’s visual arts landscape.
At this event, Prof.ssa Federica De Rosa will discuss Dattilo-Rubbo’s formatives years in Naples, while Josephine Bennet will reflect on his Italian heritage and the teaching philosophy that left a lasting imprint on Australian art. The conversation will also explore broader themes of artistic exchange, the importance of mentorship, and the role of cultural advocacy.
Free event upon registration HERE