Aurelio Craffonara (1875-1945) - Vaso di mimose

Aurelio Craffonara, painter, illustrator and decorator, studied at the Ligustica Academy of Genoa under the guidance of Tammar Luxoro. Soon he developed a passion for the watercolor technique, becoming a master.
In 1898-99 he signed the illustrations for The Miners of Alaska by Emilio Salgari, published by Donath (Genova) in 1900, in which he seems to reflect the illustrations of Pipein Gamba (the Modenese, widely active in Genoa, Giuseppe Garuti), while his collaboration for the Bologna weekly Italia ride (which had illustrators Dudovich, Cambellotti, Majani) appears more autonomous.

Published on the seventh edition of Umberto Allenandi as per the attached photo.
He was enrolled as a professor of merit at the Ligustica Academy of Genoa from 1915.
Upon returning from military service he dedicated himself to illustration and advertising. He also executed illustrations for The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi) and for several short stories and novellas.
He was part of the Genoese Artistic Family, frequenting painters Nomellini, Pennasilico, Bardinero, Motta. He participated in numerous exhibitions, including those of Lombard watercolorists, achieving notable success. In 1915 he was named Academic of Merit at the Ligustica.
He was one of the founders of the Group of Ligurian watercolorists with Arturo De Luca, Franco Fasolis, Virio da Savona, Armando Barabino, Vittorio Nattino and others.
He painted landscapes (often mountains), seascapes, city views and figures.
Aurelio Craffonara, in 1937, organized a solo show at the prestigious Galleria Pesaro in Milan.
While undoubtedly his activity as an illustrator is what he is most frequently remembered for, his work as a painter should not be forgotten, especially as a pleasant watercolourist, as well as a decorator of exhibition pavilions such as the Genoa 1901 industrial exhibition (his decoration of the Iris Theatre is marked by distinctly Art Nouveau influences) or the Rome 1911 exhibition (he contributed to the Liguria pavilion).
His works are housed at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Genova Nervi, the Museo del Risorgimento, the Pinacoteca Civica of Imperia, and the Castello Sforzesco in Milan.