Franco Matania (1922-2016) was born in Naples, Italy, and was a pupil of his uncle, the distinguished artist and illustrator Fortunino Matania RI (1881-1963). In 1935, he gained British nationality, becoming a member of the United Society of Artists, the Society of Graphic Fine Art, and an Associate of the Society of Equestrian Artists. The artist's outstanding technical ability and classical realist style granted him much commercial success.
He painted in various mediums, though he mainly used conté and pastel. Matania's preferred subjects include ballet dancers, still life studies and equestrian subjects. Matania showed at the Mall Galleries, NS, ROI, RA, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and at the Tanisia Gallery in New York. He also exhibited as a solo artist in various other galleries, such as the Alpine Gallery and Campbell & Franks.
