What is a madonnaro?

In 16th century Italy, artists began transforming pavement into canvas using chalk. The tradition was revived 400 years later, in 1972, when the Italian village of Grazie di Curtatone hosted the first known festival of street painting.

This form of art was named after the Italian translation of Virgin Mary, which is Madonna. In Italy, street painters are called "madonnari" after their historical practice of creating chalk paintings of the Madonna. Historically, madonnari have been itinerant artists noted for a life of travel and freedom. They were, however, aware of the many festivals and holidays unique to each province, and would time their arrival to join in the festivities. Today, one can still find celebrations taking place each day of the year in Italy.

Upon arriving in a town or city, the madonnari would go about their business of creating paintings directly on the sidewalk or public square using chalk as their medium. They survived from the money they received as tips, and from small commissions. After the holiday, or with the first rains, the picture and the painter would vanish. If you have the opportunity to cross any major Italian square, you will still recognize the Madonnari artist, no matter what subject they are reproducing: from the classical and sacred image of the Virgin Mary to the contemporary Marilyn Monroe, they are surrounded by votive candles, classical or soothing music and… a large crowd of people! And do them a favor, give them a tip.

The technique of this art form is not as simple as it seems, it takes an enormous amount of work and study. The first step the artist must do is to draw an outline of the original painting in proper proportion using a chalk pastel. Traditional madonnari use chalk pastel because some one else may want to paint where they painted the next day. After a trace has been sketched out, they begin to lay the base of colors. Madonnari use a variety colored chalk pastels that are characterized by being very soft, almost creamy in consistency. Gradually the artist layers the chalk blending the colors creating shadow, contrast and depth.

Over the pasty 30 years there has has been a major revival of this art form. Artists worldwide are appearing on streets throughout Europe and festivals in the United States. Add to that list, Turkey as of 2004, where the first street painting festival happened in June in Istanbul. Chalk painting is rapidly becoming a very popular form of contemporary art.

Creating a chalk painting takes many hours, sometimes days before a masterpiece is born, only to be washed away by a hose or street cleaner, or tramped upon by passing pedestrians. So many people ask me, doesn't this bum you out? Or the infamous "it's such a shame they can't save these, can't you cover them or something?!"

Once, while in Utah, a festival goer gave me a beautiful illustration upon observing my painting. She said, "I see your chalk paintings like fresh flowers. Yeah, you can buy the silk ones and they'll last for a lifetime, but the real flowers have that extra bit. They don't last forever, but they are so much more beautiful."

Well said.

So celebrate the re-birth of the Madonnari with us. There are many festivals springing up all over the world that are celebrating this art style and likely one is in your home town.

Lot's of chalk

Initial sketch layout

Mark at work

The finished painting