Franco Vianello (1937-2015)
Franco Vianello was born in Venice, Italy in 1937 into a family with more than a century-long tradition of sculptors and founders. He began his formal artistic training at the age of nine, and by eleven, his talent had caught the attention of renowned sculptor Napoleone Martinuzzi, who accepted him as an apprentice. At thirteen, Franco's exceptional ability earned him admission to the prestigious Institute of Arts in Venice, where he later received his Master’s degree.
By 1959, Vianello had established himself as a respected sculptor in Italy, having completed numerous bronze works—including life-size figures—for cities, churches, and private collectors such as Peggy Guggenheim. That same year, he moved to the United States.
In 1960, Franco founded the first lost-wax sculpture foundry in Berkeley, California outside of New York. He taught bronze sculpting techniques and helped establish lost-wax casting facilities, including at the University of California, Berkeley.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Franco and his wife, Jane, settled in the East Bay of San Francisco, where he continued his prolific career. His work can be seen throughout the U.S. and internationally. Among his favorite subjects were historically accurate depictions of early California life and wildlife, though he also created modern, classical, and thematic sculptures. Many of his pieces range from 18 to 24 inches in height, designed to be displayed comfortably in home settings.
Vianello was among the few sculptors with expertise in enlarging statues to heroic proportions and casting them in bronze, making him a rare and masterful figure in the world of sculpture.