Dec 08 • Questions for • Words by Limna

Questions For Sveva D’Antonio & Francesco Taurisano

We had an inspiring chat with collectors Francesco Taurisano and Sveva D’Antonio, the couple leading Collezione Taurisano, a collection of nearly 400 works that was started by Francesco’s father, in the 1970s.

Sveva D’Antonio and Francesco Taurisano at their apartment in Naples. Photo by Maurizio Esposito

How did you get started doing what you do?

It was our first date in a museum that set the tone of our relationship: art, art and again art.

What’s the first painting you ever bought?

Ever is hard to say. My father in law started collecting in the late ’80 and since then he never stopped. When we took over the collection 10 years ago the first work we bought together was at Code Art Fair in Copenhagen. It was one of the last photograph of Leigh Ledare’s series about his mother. I have this picture hung on the wall of my bedroom in Naples and the floreal blanket with the beautiful naked body of Ledare’s mum is still giving the same romanticism and vertigo as it was the first time I saw it in the fair.

Leigh Ledare, Mom with Mask, 2002, C print

What’s something you wish you knew when you first started collecting?

That’s not all about passion.

What’s the most misunderstood aspect of the art market in your opinion?

That you can easily speculate on young artists not believing that Karma will punish you back asap.

Which painter are you currently really excited about?

Lily Wong.

Lily Wong, Contact, 2021, Acrylic and colored pencil on paper

What’s the last art-related Instagram post you liked or account you followed?

She Curates, Mollie Barnes is an amazing curator based in UK and supporting young women artists.

The Art Gorgeous, for funny memes and juicy events in all the major cities around EU.

Domenico Gnoli at Fondazione Prada, Milan. Photo by Roberto Marossi

What upcoming exhibitions are you looking forward to?

Domenico Gnoli at Fondazione Prada, Milan.

Tell us about an artist who should be getting more attention.

Piero Dorazio.

Piero D’Orazio By the Ear, 1976, Oil and magna on canvas

What’s the best piece of art-world advice you’ve ever been given?

To buy what you like - seems banal but it saved my life most of the time.

How do you gain confidence when buying art?

We make a decision after studying a lot, seeing a lot and also talking a lot about or with the artist we want to add to our collection. It’s a matter of feeling but also of understanding if it’s the right fit with the other pieces of the collection.