Maurizio Cattelan: The Provocative Artist Who Redefined Contemporary Art
The works of art by contemporary artists often evoke mixed feelings from both connoisseurs and the general public. One of the current representatives whose pieces of art are hotly debated in the society is Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. He is a well-known figure among people who are interested in art that is very different from traditional art. Some of them even call him a provocateur and a creator of explosive works.
Maurizio Cattelan works often look provocative, unconventional, and in some cases even strange. They touch upon the topics of politics, religion, and moral norms. That is why «America», «The Comedian» and other works by this artist have become widely popular in Italy and abroad. In this article, we would like to share with you information about Maurizio Cattelan, his key features in art, and his most popular works.
Maurizio Cattelan works often look provocative, unconventional, and in some cases even strange. They touch upon the topics of politics, religion, and moral norms. That is why «America», «The Comedian» and other works by this artist have become widely popular in Italy and abroad. In this article, we would like to share with you information about Maurizio Cattelan, his key features in art, and his most popular works.
maurizio cattelan
Daryna Markova
contributor DOM Art Residence
Jul 11, 2025
The Beginning of His Career
Today, Maurizio Cattelan is known as a popular Italian artist who creates provocative pieces of art. However, how did his career begin? What were his first steps to achieve such success? Maurizio Cattelan chose to pursue an artistic career despite having no formal training in the fine arts. He started out in life by studying at a technical institute, doing several jobs, like creating wooden furniture. It was later, in the late 1980s, that he decided to pursue a career in art.
After arriving in Milan, he quickly established ties in the arts community and tried out conceptual and sculptural methods. In the early stages of his career, he introduced himself as an outsider by calling himself an «art worker» instead of an artist. Here are a few iconic moments early in this popular artist's career:
Their brave and countercultural explorations made people notice them. Because he broke rules and showed a sharp sense of humor, Cattelan was recognized as a provocative persona. In the early 1990s, Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan gained recognition in both European and American art scenes for challenging the traditional boundaries of art, rather than being famous for his technical skills.
After arriving in Milan, he quickly established ties in the arts community and tried out conceptual and sculptural methods. In the early stages of his career, he introduced himself as an outsider by calling himself an «art worker» instead of an artist. Here are a few iconic moments early in this popular artist's career:
- In 1991, he made «Stadium», which included a modified table football game that pictured the social issues in Italy.
- In 1992, at the Daniel Newburg Gallery in New York, he displayed the gallery as a space with just a sign saying «Torno subito» («Be right back»).
- In 1995, he painted «Untitled», in which he hangs from a coat hanger as a lighthearted reference to the artist’s own doubts and stress.
Their brave and countercultural explorations made people notice them. Because he broke rules and showed a sharp sense of humor, Cattelan was recognized as a provocative persona. In the early 1990s, Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan gained recognition in both European and American art scenes for challenging the traditional boundaries of art, rather than being famous for his technical skills.
Famous Works
Some experts consider an artwork to be successful when it generates a lot of controversy and discussion around itself. This is exactly the principle that most of Maurizio Cattelan artworks fulfill. They are often the subject of heated debates in the international art community because they include elements that contradict each other. Here is a small list of the most famous works of this Italian artist:
Moreover, the jobs of this artist are discussed all over the world, even by people who are not experts. The reason for this is the great popularity of modern art and people's interest. What else should we note? Each of these works expresses the artist's unique view on modern social, political, and cultural topics. Below we wanted to introduce you closer to the works of the Italian artist, which are known all over the world.
- Comedian.
- American.
- Him.
- La Nona Ora.
- Daddy, Daddy.
Moreover, the jobs of this artist are discussed all over the world, even by people who are not experts. The reason for this is the great popularity of modern art and people's interest. What else should we note? Each of these works expresses the artist's unique view on modern social, political, and cultural topics. Below we wanted to introduce you closer to the works of the Italian artist, which are known all over the world.
The Comedian
Once it was exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, Maurizio Cattelan’s «The Comedian» attracted instant worldwide attention and triggered arguments. What is the secret of success? The installation was only a banana secured to a white wall by duct tape, and it sold for $120,000. There were also two additional identical pieces that cost the same. Even though The Comedian was very direct, it was dense with meaning and mixed absurd actions with a strong concept.
People and art critics had different opinions. Some thought it was a publicity stunt, while others viewed it as a strong statement about what was happening in the art world. Both the content and the performance itself attracted the attention of the media, with one person acting out by eating the banana, claiming it was an art performance. Since the banana needed to be replaced now and then, it helped demonstrate how temporary the notions of value and meaning are in art today.
This Maurizio Cattelan artwork stood for the shift towards making art profitable, making people think: What is art worth? Is it the concept, the method, or mainly the attention it gets? Cattelan’s banana questioned the usual order and showed how perception is often more important than the art itself in the world of contemporary art. It's hard to believe at first, but even such simple works can carry deep meaning.
Once it was exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, Maurizio Cattelan’s «The Comedian» attracted instant worldwide attention and triggered arguments. What is the secret of success? The installation was only a banana secured to a white wall by duct tape, and it sold for $120,000. There were also two additional identical pieces that cost the same. Even though The Comedian was very direct, it was dense with meaning and mixed absurd actions with a strong concept.
People and art critics had different opinions. Some thought it was a publicity stunt, while others viewed it as a strong statement about what was happening in the art world. Both the content and the performance itself attracted the attention of the media, with one person acting out by eating the banana, claiming it was an art performance. Since the banana needed to be replaced now and then, it helped demonstrate how temporary the notions of value and meaning are in art today.
This Maurizio Cattelan artwork stood for the shift towards making art profitable, making people think: What is art worth? Is it the concept, the method, or mainly the attention it gets? Cattelan’s banana questioned the usual order and showed how perception is often more important than the art itself in the world of contemporary art. It's hard to believe at first, but even such simple works can carry deep meaning.
Him
Created in 2001, Maurizio Cattelan work of art «Him» is considered to be both controversial and very emotional. You could assume, at first sight, that the work of art shows a small child kneeling and praying. Even so, as you come closer, the child has Adolf Hitler’s face. Observing pure childlike innocence together with the memory of serious atrocities makes people uncomfortable. It asks them to grapple with important moral questions.
It doesn't just push boundaries. It considers the reasons for guilt, our duty to others, and what we all can recall about history. Cattelan portrays Hitler as praying and powerless, which brings up the idea: Can evil people ever truly repent? People begin to argue over how history should be portrayed through this art piece. Viewers are invited to consider the effects that power, trauma, and unforgiveness have. So, this Maurizio Cattelan art demonstrates how contemporary art can explore heartbreaking topics in a clever way.
Created in 2001, Maurizio Cattelan work of art «Him» is considered to be both controversial and very emotional. You could assume, at first sight, that the work of art shows a small child kneeling and praying. Even so, as you come closer, the child has Adolf Hitler’s face. Observing pure childlike innocence together with the memory of serious atrocities makes people uncomfortable. It asks them to grapple with important moral questions.
It doesn't just push boundaries. It considers the reasons for guilt, our duty to others, and what we all can recall about history. Cattelan portrays Hitler as praying and powerless, which brings up the idea: Can evil people ever truly repent? People begin to argue over how history should be portrayed through this art piece. Viewers are invited to consider the effects that power, trauma, and unforgiveness have. So, this Maurizio Cattelan art demonstrates how contemporary art can explore heartbreaking topics in a clever way.
Later Works
Maurizio Cattelan artist, continues to make works of art with deep meaning even in the present days. Therefore, we would also like to discuss recent works by this representative of contemporary art. For example, we should mention «Sunday», a work of art created in 2024. Not surprisingly, it has also become revolutionary and has been discussed all over the world.
What are the main aspects of «Sunday»? This work includes many panels made of solid gold. The author was accused of plagiarizing a famous work made by the American Anthony James. Their works were too similar to each other. The only key difference is the use of 24 carats of gold instead of stainless steel.
Maurizio has recently become famous again thanks to his talent. This time, he received an unusual commission from the Vatican. His task was to decorate the Venice Biennale. The result was a mural «Father», painted on the wall of a women’s prison. Mirroring the famous Renaissance work, Cattelan makes viewers consider such topics as sacrifice, pain, and thoughts about God.
What are the main aspects of «Sunday»? This work includes many panels made of solid gold. The author was accused of plagiarizing a famous work made by the American Anthony James. Their works were too similar to each other. The only key difference is the use of 24 carats of gold instead of stainless steel.
Maurizio has recently become famous again thanks to his talent. This time, he received an unusual commission from the Vatican. His task was to decorate the Venice Biennale. The result was a mural «Father», painted on the wall of a women’s prison. Mirroring the famous Renaissance work, Cattelan makes viewers consider such topics as sacrifice, pain, and thoughts about God.
Conclusion
The famous Czech writer Milan Kundera once said: «You can understand nothing about art, particularly modern art, if you do not understand that imagination is a value in itself.» These words perfectly describe why artist Cattelan and his works cause such a furor in today's society.
The career of Cattelan is something really remarkable. He is one of the few artists of the modern era who has managed to get a lot of controversy, discussion, and debate around his works. Some of his best works of art have been honored with a place in the best museums in the world, including the Guggenheim Museum.
Today, there are more than a hundred works in the arsenal of this artist. Some of which have gained wide popularity in Italy, the United States, and Europe. They touch on most of the hot topics, including politics and religion. This is the main reason why these works cause such interest among people. Many fans and just connoisseurs of contemporary art are looking forward to new creations from Cattelan.
The career of Cattelan is something really remarkable. He is one of the few artists of the modern era who has managed to get a lot of controversy, discussion, and debate around his works. Some of his best works of art have been honored with a place in the best museums in the world, including the Guggenheim Museum.
Today, there are more than a hundred works in the arsenal of this artist. Some of which have gained wide popularity in Italy, the United States, and Europe. They touch on most of the hot topics, including politics and religion. This is the main reason why these works cause such interest among people. Many fans and just connoisseurs of contemporary art are looking forward to new creations from Cattelan.