Pasquale Russo Maresca

Pasquale Russo Maresca (20 July 1968 – 22 March 2020) was an Italian painter best known for his work and research focusing on anatomy, especially the composition of the human face.[1] Maresca sought to explore the anatomical features of the face within his paintings by reconstructing the face and inserting illusion into it.[1] He called this technique "Sette settimi di volto".[1] He divided his professional time between Italy, Mexico, where he lived in Mexico City, and Slovakia.[1][2]

Pasquale Russo Maresca in Oaxaca, Mexico, in 2018.

Maresca was born in Milan, Italy, on 20 July 1968.[1]

Maresca became known for his religious work in the 1990s and 2000s. In 1995, Maresca was commissioned to create a depiction of the crucifixion of Andrew the Apostle for Sant'Andrea church in Pioltello. He then painted the crucifixion of Christ for the same church in 1996.[1] In 1997, Maresca was commissioned to paint the altar scene, as well as fresco of the dome for a cemetery in Trezzo sull'Adda.[1] In 2000, he completed a painting of the Visitation for the church in Locate Varesino.[1] He held a solo show showcasing his paintings of the human face at the Montrasio gallery in Milan in 2004.[1]

Maresca died from brain cancer in Brescia, Italy, on 22 March 2020, at the age of 51.[2] He was survived by his wife, Barbara Luraghi, whom he married in 2000.[1]