Francesco Lietti

Francesco Lietti has been living in Hong Kong since early 2006 and his love of this vibrant, eclectic city is immediately apparent in his works, which derives from the mnemonic imagery of the artist, who lives in symbiosis with the themes of travel and discovery.
When first visiting Hong Kong in the summer of 2005, the painter experienced an overwhelming sensation: fascinated by the variety of colors, the rich smells, and the plethora of images he was drawn to return and stay. This exciting metropolis is something you cannot just put into a frame: something would spill out; something would be missing; one can catch the details, but he or she would never be able to capture the entire picture. The artist portrays this through simple and direct forms. He paints naïve visions that often have a humorous quality, describing the city in an almost caricatured magnificence. Through the use of striking colors the painter captures the essence of Hong Kong’s famous harbor skyline and makes it his own. His paintings hover between reality and fantasy. Using strong blocks of paint to represent the buildings, Lietti also includes smaller patches of textured color, which dance across the cityscape, giving it that dream-like, ephemeral quality. The artist works in acrylic and oils on canvas and also adds collage to give his paintings texture and depth. He then finishes his pieces with a thick, glossy resin, further enhancing the brightness of the colors.
Lietti also captures the colors and delights of other Asian destinations. The lush greens of Vietnam and Bali, the golden sunsets of Rajasthan, the deep blue seascapes of the Philippines, these are just some of the many places he has visited and experienced. The artist gives us rare glimpses, merging reality with a magical world.
Francesco Lietti was born in Lecco on the southern shore of Lake Como in Italy. He studied architecture in Milan and furthered his studies in Paris at the École des Beaux Arts, La Seine, and also at the Clerkenwell College of Printing in London. His works are featured in private collections worldwide. When not painting in his studio, Francesco is probably riding his motorbike on the Hong Kong hills trying to catch a new view or travelling across Asia in search of inspiration.
SELECTED WORKS
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More Dim Sum
Francesco Lietti
More Dim Sum, 2018
Mixed media and resin on canvas
50 x 40 cm -
Black White Red & Yellow
Francesco Lietti
Black White Red & Yellow, 2018
Mixed media and resin on wood board
60 x 60 cm -
What, Not Enough?
Francesco Lietti
What, Not Enough?, 2019
Mixed media on canvas
96 x 96 cm -
Free Your Mind
Francesco Lietti
Free Your Mind, 2024
Mixed media on canvas
98 x 86 cm -
Where Art Thou?
Francesco Lietti
Where Art Thou?, 2024
Mixed media on canvas
120 x 90 cm -
HK’s Finest
Francesco Lietti
HK’s Finest, 2024
Mixed media on canvas
120 x 90 cm -
Legno 03
Francesco Lietti
Legno 03, 2020
Wood collage on board
90 x 60 cm -
Legno 01
Francesco Lietti
Legno 01, 2019
Wood collage on wood board
90 x 60 cm -
Carta 06
Francesco Lietti
Carta 06, 2019
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Modern City, Ash
Francesco Lietti
Modern City, Ash, 2020
Linocut and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Legno 05
Francesco Lietti
Legno 05, 2024
Acrylic on wood board
90 x 60 cm -
Carta 05
Francesco Lietti
Carta 05, 2019
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Legno 06
Francesco Lietti
Legno 06, 2024
Acrylic on wood board
90 x 60 cm -
Carta 03
Francesco Lietti
Carta 03, 2019
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Carta 04
Francesco Lietti
Carta 04, 2019
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Carta 08
Francesco Lietti
Carta 08, 2019
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Carta 09
Francesco Lietti
Carta 09, 2019
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Carta 07
Francesco Lietti
Carta 07, 2019
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Modern City, Emerald
Francesco Lietti
Modern City, Emerald, 2020
Linocut and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Modern City, Amethyst
Francesco Lietti
Modern City, Amethyst, 2020
Linocut and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Ink Sketch 03
Francesco Lietti
Ink Sketch 03, 2022
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Ink Sketch 02
Francesco Lietti
Ink Sketch 02, 2022
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Ink Sketch 01
Francesco Lietti
Ink Sketch 01, 2022
Ink and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm -
Modern City, Cerise
Francesco Lietti
Modern City, Cerise, 2020
Linocut and acrylic on paper
21 x 15 cm