Bruni Umberto

Umberto Bruni (1914-2021)

Born in Montreal, Quebec, He received his first lessons in art from an Italian tutor and later studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Mtl., under Charles Maillard, Maurice Felix, Joseph St. Charles, Edwin Holgate, Robert Pilot and Henri Charpentier and graduated with distinction (1930-37). From 1941-45 he was illustrator and cartographer for ‘’le petit Journal’’ and ‘’Photo-Journal’’. He taught at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (1947-72). In 1956 he went to Italy to study techniques in mural painting. He became Director of the gallery at the Université de Québec à Montréal in 1969.

Bruni applies his paint with such skill that his paintings have such depth, colour and atmosphere, as to give a viewer a feeling of being in the scene. He was elected member of the RCA in 1977. He has exhibited in numerous solo shows including: Centre Educationnel, Edifice le Sieur à St. Jean d’Iberville (1947); Restaurant Lindy’s, Mtl. (1949); Galerie Giotto, Rome, Italy (1962); Galerie Leonardo da Vinci, Mtl. (1965); Galerie Place Jacques-Cartier, Mtl. (1965); Galerie Montcalm, Que. (1974); Galerie Basque, Rimouski (1974); Windsor Hotel, Mtl. (1979); Galerie d’Art du Château Frontenac Que. (1994); Congrès Italo-canadien, Mtl., (1995) and many more. He also received numerous honours and awards including: Lieutenant-Gouverneur du Québec (1995); Honored by Prime ministers Brian Mulroney and Robert Bourassa for his contribution to the artistic world for 50 years (1989); Commemorative Medal, Célébrations Canada 125 (1992); Lion d’Or, award of excellence, Ordre des Fils d’Italie, (1989).

Sources: A Dictionary of Canadian Artists, Colin S. Macdonald, Vol 1.

Magazinart, Répertoire Biennal des artistes Canadiens en Galleries,   1998-1999.