Who was Paolo Costa?
Paolo Costa, was born in Lugo di Ravenna, Italy, in 1917, He studied political science and philosophy at the Universities of Bologna and Venice.
After working as a journalist for ten years, he began his career as a photographer in 1951. Some of his very first photos, taken in Sardinia in an area ruled by bandits, were published by the American magazine LIFE.
Many photo documentaries followed. In 1953, Costa, drawn by the world of movies, spent a significant amount of time in Rome, where he later relocated from Milan. It was there that he met Sophia Loren, to whom Costa is credited for her first photos, which garnered international attention.
Gradually, Costa became a sought-after photographer for celebrities, with nearly every figure of prominence and fame having their portrait taken by him.
His subjects included Claudia Cardinale, Gina Lollobrigida, Brigitte Bardot, Anna Magnani, Marcello Mastroianni, Federico Fellini, Henry Fonda, Luciano Pavarotti, and many others.
He also gained recognition as a talent scout, discovering and supporting various celebrities such as Dalia Lahvi, Ursula Andress and Elke Sommer. Costa's portfolio consists of approximately 550 cover photos published worldwide.
Over time, he expanded his expertise into advertising and promotion for major industries and multinational corporations, including BMW, Olivetti, Emilio Pucci, and Pollini.
In 1973, Costa relocated to Munich, and in 1976, he married the German communication scientist Marion. Their daughter, Alexandra was born in 1975.
A report by RAI Uno daily news featured Costa as one of the best photographers in Europe.
Paolo Costa passed away in Grünwald near Munich in 1981. Following the death of his wife in 2022, his daughter Alexandra became the sole heir to Paolo Costa's archive. In 2023, she established the gallery Archivio Paolo Costa to honor her father's legacy and make his work accessible to others.
Archivio Paolo Costa today
Today, Archivio Paolo Costa is overseen by Alexandra Pfründer, the daughter of Paolo Costa. She steps into her father's shoes not only as his successor but also as the steward of his artistic heritage. Inheriting his extensive photographic collection is both an honor and a challenge, one that she embraces with steadfast determination and passion.
Her journey commenced with the precise task of cataloging and digitizing the archive. With each photograph she handles, Alexandra feels a profound connection to her father's work, as though she is tracing the threads of his artistic journey. She meticulously cleanses, restores, and organizes the photographs, infusing new vitality into each frame and ensuring that her father's legacy will endure for generations to come.
However, Alexandra's mission transcends mere preservation: it is about sharing her father's artistry with the world. She explores innovative methods to exhibit the photographs through galleries, exhibitions, and online platforms. She establishes partnerships with galleries and art collectors, leveraging her father's reputation to unlock new opportunities and reach fresh audiences.
Each exhibition, each sale, represents more than just a transaction: it is a celebration of her father's talent and legacy. And as she witnesses his photographs find new homes in galleries and private collections, Alexandra experiences a profound sense of fulfillment, knowing that she has played a vital role in preserving and promoting her father's artistic vision.
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