Origins and Early Artistic Talent Giuseppe De Tommasi was born in Lecce on October 10, 1952. Raised in an artistic household—his father, Giovanni, was a painter—De Tommasi’s talent emerged at an early age. By the time he was 16, he had already won his first award for painting, competing under the pseudonym “Valentin.”

The Renaissance of Papier-Mâché (Cartapesta) In the 1970s, De Tommasi recognized the vast expressive potential of Lecce’s traditional papier-mâché and became a leading figure in its modern revival. His innovation lay in preserving ancient techniques while radically modernizing the subject matter. Moving beyond strictly religious themes, he began to depict the folklore, traditions, and daily life of the Salento region.

• He founded a dedicated school that has trained many of the contemporary papier-mâché artists active today.

• His work has been exhibited internationally, including in New York, Washington, and Frankfurt. Furthermore, he has served as a guest lecturer at prestigious institutions such as Farmingdale State College in New York.

Significant Works and Commissions Among his most notable achievements are:

• The creation of a large-scale Nativity scene for Rome’s Piazza di Spagna.

• A monumental Nativity commissioned for the Patriarch of Moscow, which is permanently housed in the city’s Cathedral.

• Since the 1990s, he has expanded his artistic range to include experimentation with ceramics and stone.

The Greek Period and the Return to Lecce In 1990, he opened a gallery in Parga, Greece. His deep connection to the country led him to relocate there permanently in 2005. During this time, he collaborated with entrepreneur Efthymios Pappas, establishing a successful career as an Art Interior Designer.

In 2015, he returned to Italy and resettled in Lecce. He currently lives and works in a seaside “oasis,” a setting he describes as magical and which serves as the primary inspiration for his contemporary artistic production.