Nenne Sanguineti

Nenne Sanguineti Poggi (1909–2012) was an Italian painter. She is best known for her public artworks in Eritrea and Ethiopia, and her commissions for Emperor Haile Selassie.

Early life Nenne Sanguineti Poggi was born in 1909 in Savona, Italy. She began training under the artist Eso Peluzzi, and early in her life she married before moving to Eritrea.

Career

Poggi was commissioned for works by Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, creating public works in urban centers within both Eritrea and Ethiopia. Within these works, she sought to merge mid-20th century art movements with the African culture of her surroundings. the City Hall in Addis Ababa, and educational institutes. Her artwork involved both landscapes in the region and portraits of local residents, including both living portraits and expressionist works of others. Her later works included “painting, drawing, printmaking, and works that resembled ancient Ethiopian scrolls.” and her work has also been exhibited in institutions including the Museo d’Arte di Palazzo Gavotti.