The Canine of Florence is a deceptively simple painting that reveals a great deal about Bruno Surdo’s sensibility. At its center is a small white dog crossing a sunlit cloister, but the real subject is the meeting of presence and place. The architecture, with its columns, arches, vaulted ceiling, and warm terracotta floor, is rendered with the reverence of a Renaissance interior, recalling the measured calm of early Italian painting and the perspectival order of quattrocento space. Surdo’s handling of light is especially important here: the curved bands of sunlight falling across the floor create a rhythm that guides the eye and turns the cloister into something almost musical. Against that serene geometry, the dog introduces movement, informality, and life.
What makes the painting emotionally resonant is this contrast between grandeur and modesty. The cloister carries the weight of history, devotion, and permanence, while the dog feels immediate, curious, and entirely of the present. Surdo often uses the human figure to explore the relationship between timeless form and lived experience; here, he accomplishes something similar through an animal presence. The dog softens the solemnity of the architecture and transforms the scene from a study of space into a meditation on companionship, memory, and wandering. There is also an unmistakable personal and cultural undertone: Florence is not just a location but a symbolic source for Surdo, a city tied to the Renaissance tradition that shaped his artistic life. In this work, that inheritance is approached not with bombast, but with affection. The result is a painting about humility within beauty, a quiet homage to Italy, to looking, and to the small living beings that make monumental spaces feel human.
Bruno Surdo
The Canine of Florence, 2026
oil on canvas
40h x 30w in
101.60h x 76.20w cm
BRS157
Bruno A. Surdo
b. Chicago, 1963
Bruno A. Surdo is a true native of Chicago. He studied drawing and art history, and pursues the mastery of the human form with inspiration from the Renaissance masters. His provocative works center around the human condition and are known for their allegorical imagery. Bruno has had numerous shows and commissions and his work is held in many prestigious art collections around the world. He lectures often and is a teacher who believes in nurturing others.
The artistic forms he has created are images that communicate a personal commentary on the issue or question in mind. These shapes are then arranged in a pictorial space using the human form. Surdo strives to communicate a message to the viewer - to engage the person in a conversation between what he puts forth and what he or she can then interpret. The interchange of response and curiosity are goals the artist set when composing his ideas. Surdo believes art is a continual form of expression and he feels committed to search for a language that brings his thoughts and feelings to the surface.
EXHIBITIONS
2023 New Work, Gallery VICTOR, Chicago, IL
2021 Ethos + Truth, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2020 Realities, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2018 Liberation, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
Blood Sport, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
Art on Paper 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Pier 36, New York, NY
SOFA Chicago 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
2017 POP!ARAZZI, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
Coming Attractions, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2015 SOFA Chicago 2015, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Bruno Surdo: Allegories, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2014 Bruno Surdo: Respond, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Modern Metaphors, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
2013 Bruno Surdo: Revelations, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Vice + Virtue, Northern Illinois University Museum of Art
2012 Contemporary Realism Biennial, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN
2011 Bruno Surdo, University of St. Francis School of Creative Arts, Fort Wayne, IN
Uncensored, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2010 Art Chicago 2010, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
2009 Art Chicago 2009, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
2007 Bruno Surdo, Art Institute of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2006 Context/Content: Making Meaning with the Figure, University of Arkansas, Conway, AR
Creative Imaginings, Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL
Bruno Surdo: Cycles, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2005 Art Chicago 2005, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2004 Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago 2004, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Group Show, Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY
Drawings VII, Koplin Del Rio Gallery, West Hollywood, CA
Armory Show, New York Armory, New York, NY
2003 Paintings & Drawings, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL
The Art Show, New York, NY
Bruno Surdo: New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago 2003, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2003-10 International Show of Contemporary Artists, Chicago Art Open, Chicago, IL
2002 Bruno Surdo: Perception of Appearance, Frye Museum, Seattle, WA
Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL
Bruno Surdo: Transcendence, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago 2002, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
1998 Evanston and Vicinity Artists, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
1996 Bruno Surdo: A Personal View, University of Wisconsin, Kenosha, WI
1995 Bruno Surdo: Recent Works, College of Lake County, IL
AIDS in Our Society, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
Bruno Surdo: Life, Struggle, and Hope, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
Bruno Surdo: Dualities of Life, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
1999 Group Show, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
1998 Group Exhibition, Fine Arts Building Gallery, Chicago, IL
1995 Spiritual Inquiries, Struve Gallery, Chicago, IL
1994 Recent Works, The 14th Annual Juried Exhibition for Lake County Artists, Grayslake, IL
Go Figure, Figurative Works on Paper, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
The Re-Birth of Venus, Temporary Loan, Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR
College of Lake County, Greyslake, IL
Flashpoint Academy, Chicago IL
John Robert Wiltgen Design
Shoemaker Ruud Collection
Julie & Thomas Danilek
Michael Vozzella and Mike Silver
Benjamin Fernandez
Tom Braake
Betsy Colburn
Michael Diemand & Lor LaRose
Michael Staab & Kathy Brock
Bruce Leep
Frank Tzurect
Mary Foley
Rosalyn Carlson
Mimmy Turney
Janet Long Halstead
Billy Hunt
Carol Galli
Myles Kerrigan
Honorable & Mrs. Edwin Berman
Theodore Gage
Northrop Art Museum
Past Present & Future Company
Dr. James & Peggy Kemmler
Salvatore Monastero
Nix & Virginia Lauridsen
Joel Miller
David & Marlene Zerkel
Ann & Andy Abel
Claudia Rush
Marc Miller
Leonard Goldberg
Lawrence Pucci
Howard Tullman Collection
Susan & Manny Kramer
James Rinnert
Richar Interiors
Michael & Nancy Colt
Khalid Altijir
Dr. Joe Grodman
Beryl & Jack Gore
Larry Wolf & Eric Naegle
Chuck Wolandi
Jack Schwab & David Sandelin
Thomas Kaczmarek
Marti Dinerstein
Craig & Michael Golden
Mike & Jill Rose
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Bruno Surdo: The Method Artist Responds, by Lucia Mauro, June 26, 2014, anitathemovie blog
An Exhibition of Exhibitionism: Bruno Surdo’s ‘Respond’, by Carrie McGath, July 1, 2014, The Chicagoist Website, Arts and Entertainment
“Inspired Environs: A renowned designer decks out his Loop abode in art and texture” Modern Luxury, Men’s Book, Spring 2014
“Master Class” What’z Up Magazine, Fort Wayne, 2011
”9/11 Painting will be on Display” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 2011
“Illuminated Images” Fort Wayne Reader, 2011
“Two Faces of Beauty” American Art Collector Magazine, Issue #3 and #59, 2006/2010
“Art and Calamity” Art Papers, 2009
“Versions of the Present, Techniques of the Past” American Artist Magazine, 2004
“Living Artists” Crow Book Publishing, Chicago, IL 2004
“The New Master” by Craig Keller, Chicago Social Magazine, 2004.
“Tragedy, Memory, and Honor,” by William Hageman, Chicago Tribune, March 28, 2002
“Mural Depicts Tragedy of 9/11” Art Section, Chicago Sun Times, 2002
Review by Dennis Raverty, Art Papers Magazine, July 2001
WTTW Channel 11 “Art Beat Chicago,” Featured November 2000, Bruno and the SORA
Art Scene Chicago 2000, by Ivy Sundell, Crow Woods Publishing, 2000.
“Artist’s Idea Celebrates Performing Arts on Wall,” by Sue Jenkins, Daily Herald, 1998.
Best of Portrait Painting, Rachel Wolf, Northlight Publications, 1998
"Visions of the Present, Techniques of the Past”, Bruno Surdo, Oil Highlights – Figures, January, 1996
LECTURES AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGMENTS
2014 Lecture, Modern Metaphors, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
2011 Lecture: University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN
2007 Lecture: Art Institute of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2006 Lecture and Slide Presentation: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
2000 Book Signing: Art Scene Chicago 2000, Barnes and Noble, Skokie, IL
1998 Lecture and Slide Presentation: Des Plaines Art Guild, Des Planes, IL
1996 Lecture: University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI
1995 Lecture and Slide Presentation: College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL
Critique and Lecture: Skokie Art Guild, Skokie, IL
1994 Lecture: American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL
1993 Lecture: Ray College of Design, Chicago, IL
AWARDS
2009 Faculty of the Year, The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, Chicago, IL
2006 Grand Prize, International Artist Magazine. Contemporary Figurative Art Competition, Seattle, WA
2005 Certificate of Appreciation for 9/11 painting, Tragedy, Memory, and Honor presented by Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, IL
2003 Proclamation Award, "Bruno Surdo Day," March 18, Skokie, IL
1998 Evanston and Vicinity Artists Show, Honorable Mention Award, Evanston, IL
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1992 – 2013 Founder, Director, Instructor, School of Representational Art (SORA), Chicago, IL
1988 – present Instructor, Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, IL
EDUCATION
1987 Studio Cecil-Graves, Florence, Italy
1983-86 Atelier Lack, Minneapolis, MN
1983 Atelier Prohl, Minneapolis, MN
1981-1983 American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL
1980 Liceo Artistico de Bari, Bari, Italy
