Works of Italian modern realist painter go on show

A new exhibition in Shanghai highlights the versatility of Italian artist Pietro Annigoni (1910-88), who is best remembered as the creator of a widely popular portrait for Queen Elizabeth II.

Titled Stare, the exhibition is held at Shanghai Jiushi Art Museum from April 2 to May 23 and showcases 53 artworks and documents that reflect the artist's creative career that spanned 50 years.

According to the exhibition's curator Ma Zhenzheng, Annigoni was a faithful follower of realism masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael, making him stand out against the modernist and post-modernist artists that were prevalent during his time.

He was known for his portrait creations of several celebrities and royal members, especially his much-celebrated portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. One of the Queen's portraits created in 1955 was so popular that it was inked on postage stamps and bank notes in several Commonwealth countries.