For many years, I had felt the need to develop a website dedicated to my father Mario Lupo. I imagined it as a 'journey' to discover the artist and the man, through the images of his works and the testimonies of those who knew him.
When he passed away thirty years ago (16 October 1992), the Internet was just beginning to appear on the scene, but now it is an inseparable part of our daily lives. So, I think this is the best way to reach the greatest number of people and places, even places where my father had not yet reached on his artistic journey.
It was a year-long commitment, thorough and meticulous, filled with great emotions, which took me back to the early years of his career, to Ancona, where my childhood home always smelled of turpentine.
I remember his early paintings with their light, delicate colours, almost tentatively placed on the canvas. Or the period of strong colours, with clear backgrounds, applied on board with a spatula, in search of 'his' painting, always with great respect for this art form and perhaps a little awe.
At the time, my father was doing another job, which he adored because he loved sailing and was deeply attached to the sea. He commanded a Guardia di Finanza patrol boat.
But painting, originally to fill lonely moments when he was young and far from home, gradually became something more, a real passion, indeed a raison d'être.
In 1966, he decided to abandon his military career and, the following year, moved to San Benedetto del Tronto with his wife Margherita and two children, Riccardo and me, Maristella. With this 'happy landing'', he could finally devote himself entirely to art.

The images reproduced in the various sections come mainly from my family's archive: the photos have been taken over the years by professional photographers or even by friends. Unfortunately, today I find it difficult to attribute authorship to each of them. The artwork and jewellery photos were taken by the A·THA Agency.
The website www.mariolupo.it is not only a 'journey' but also an archive: I have compiled a representative overview of paintings, drawings, graphics, sculptures, jewellery and stage designs. I have catalogued and reproduced the critical texts and videos, interviews, photos and news about his life. Much of the material at my disposal, appropriately selected, can be found on these pages.

I have dedicated a special section to 'Stamperia dell'Arancio' and thus to Riccardo Lupo. Everything illustrated and described here is only an infinitesimal part of what my brother achieved as a printer, publisher, gallery owner and, more generally, as a lover and disseminator of all forms of artistic expression.

I would like to thank a few people who have supported me during this year of work.
First of all, I am grateful to Tiziana Bisognin. She worked with my father from 1980 to 1992 and with my brother from 1992 to 2006. Without her, this site might not have seen the light of day. She immediately embraced my idea with enthusiasm and made it her own, providing me with expertise, time and patience. And above all, sharing my own emotions day by day.
I would like to thank all the staff at the A·THA agency in San Benedetto del Tronto, especially Roberta Vesperini, Valentino Lorenzetti, Stefano Panfili and Marina Castelli. They also embraced my project and transformed my ideas and wishes into reality with outstanding professionalism, creating a website that showcases and enhances my father's work and spirit.
Finally, I would like to thank friends, collectors, art lovers and everyday web surfers, who send me criticisms, suggestions, appreciations, photos and documents, all helpful in improving and enriching the site.