Antonio Cirino

Antonio Cirino, Rockport Artist, Providence Art Club, RISD

Antonio Cirino was born in Italy in 1888, immigrated to Providence at age two. He graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1909 and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Columbia Teachers College in 1912. Cirino began to summer in Rockport in the 1920’s, where he became one of the founding members of the Rockport Art Association. Rockport became not only an important summer refuge for the artist, but a location where he would produce his most important canvases. Critical acclaim would follow along with acceptance into the Salmagundi Club in New York City in 1926 and the Providence Art Club. His fluid painting technique showed a deep understanding of composition and skillful craftsmanship in manipulating oil pigments. A dedicated student of nature, Cirino painted outdoors for his entire artistic career. He was a kindred spirit to the Impressionists and focused on his personal interpretation of the subject. In 1949 the New York Times wrote of one of his paintings, Mooring Place “one of the more honest and sensitive examples of this genre.” Cirino was accomplished in winning many prizes in juried exhibitions, earning favorable critical reviews. He received over seventy- nine prizes for his paintings including the gold Medal of Honor by the Rockport Art Association and the Hope Show prize from the Butler Institute of Art in Youngstown, Ohio. His work is included in numerous collections such as the RISD Museum of Art, Dayton Art Institute and National Academy of Design.