Three Photographic Visions | Franco Fontana, Richard Avedon, and Guido Guidi

Three different Artist Dates in Rome led me to three photography exhibitions that couldn’t have been more different: Franco Fontana at Ara Pacis, Richard Avedon at tje Gagosian Gallery, and Guido Guidi at MAXXI. Three masters with three completely different vibes…

My photographer husband joined me for some of the shows and his trained eye noticed technical nuances I missed, though years of listening to him discuss composition and light have sharpened my own vision.

Fontana‘s show pulled me into his world of pure color—those iconic landscapes and streets of the 1970s that feel both of their time and timeless. His color blocking speaks to my own artistic sensibilities; the way he isolates and emphasizes chromatic relationships resonates deeply with practices I’ve explored in my own creative work. I had the chance to take a selfie with the great photographer at the opening event.

Guido Guidi‘s austere architectural works: here was photography that requires patience—quiet, contemplative images that reveal themselves slowly. The subtle interplay of light and shadow across building facades found dignity in what others overlook.

At the Gagosian I saw Avedon’s Italian photos captured in his signature bleached light. These gorgeous, glamorous works isolate subjects against stark white backgrounds, creating a scene that feels both intimate and monumental. The opening night of this show was itself a spectacle, and one of those unforgettable Roman nights.