Piero Manzoni Italian, 1933-1963

Piero Manzoni (b. 1933 Soncino, Italy - d. 1963 Milan, Italy) was a groundbreaking Italian artist whose work radically challenged the conventions of art and authorship. Best known for his Achromes (white monochrome works) and the provocative Merda d’artista (Artist’s Shit, 1961), Manzoni explored ideas of value, authenticity, and the role of the artist with sharp wit and conceptual rigor.

Though his career was cut short at just 29, Manzoni left a profound mark on postwar art, influencing movements such as Arte Povera and Conceptual Art. His bold experimentation and critical engagement with the art world continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, securing his place as one of the most influential and iconoclastic figures of 20th-century art.