It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of renowned Italian photographer Claudio Abate on August 3, 2017, in his native city of Rome.

A critical figure in the arts scene of 1960s and ’70s Italy, he leaves behind a legacy of numerous photographs that poignantly captured the relationship between lens, artist, and artwork.

In one of the last interviews given by Abate in 2016 for Artribune, he stated:”I do not just look at the work, I look at the artist. Or rather, I look at how the artist looks at the work. I commence from there, then I take a photo. I have always looked at the artist’s point of view: this is my method of work.”

The photographer gained immense reputation at an early age, with the subjects of his works including high-profile names such as Mario Mafai, Mario Schifano, Federico Fellini and Carmelo Bene. Perhaps his most widely-known photographs are those of Gino de Dominicis’ 1970 “Lo Zodiaco” show, as well as “Portrait of Jannis Kounellis,” 1989 (pictured).

A service in memorandum will be held in Rome on Monday, August 7, at 10 p.m. at the Church of the Artists in Piazza del Popolo.