Salvatore Caputo was born in 1947 in a small village in the province of Messina (Castell’Umberto), which is located between the green Nebrodi mounts and the deep blue eastern Tyrrhenian Sea, rich in classical history. A constant element in the life of this versatile artist is the striving to express his personality within his art. His production includes graphic artcrafts, medals, sculptures and paintings. In 1964, he launched his first personal exhibition. Afterwards he left eastern Sicily to move to Palermo in order to finish his studies, thus graduating in Architecture in 1974. By this time, Caputo had become an emerging protagonist of the Italian artistic panorama. From then on, his exhibiting activity intensifies. In fact, he is often invited to take part in qualified art shows, and the number of his personal exhibitions in prestigious private art galleries and public spaces – in Italy and abroad – increases. As well as focusing on his relevant painting activity, the Author develops a prolific interest towards different languages of expression, such as copper engraving, lithography and serigraphy (silk-screen printing). After the mid ‘70s, the fascinating dark shades lead to a renewed use of colours and the bursting of light, both signs of the resurfacing of Caputo’s childhood memories. The themes accompanying his cultural upbringing are further developped as well as the concept of “Mediterraneity”. At the same time, his focus on mythology becomes more evident. In the ‘90s, the Author’s attention is drawn to the production of art objects, which can be considered a linking point between painting and sculpture. At the same time, in parallel with the sensuality of “profane” works, the Artist’s interest towards sacred themes resurfaces. This leads to the making of different important works for ecclesiastical clients and the mounting of various exhibitions, among which the three ones taking place at the Palermo Cathedral are worth mentioning. Caputo’s recent production reflects his constant re-elaboration of such features as the Mediterranean classical themes, light and colour. These latter are alternated with a massive presence of dreaming nocturnal scenes in which the ambiences and the tonalities of his early production re-emerge.
In 2014, the painter celebrated his 50-year long career with a series of anthological solo shows.
Many of his works are held in private as well as public collections in Italy and abroad.

2023
“L’Arte Mediterranea. Mostra di archipittura” (Mediterranean Art. Architecture-Painting Exhibition), Convento dei Cappuccini, Enna
2022
"Percorsi. Un viaggio tra le opere di Salvatore Caputo” (Routes. A Journey Through the Works of Salvatore Caputo), Sala delle Verifiche (Complesso Steri), Palermo
“Linee d'acqua. Il mare nella Tonnara” (Lines of Water. The Sea Into the Tonnara), Tonnara Bordonaro, Palermo
“Mare, boschi, visioni d’infinito” (Sea, Woods, Visions of Infinity), Grand Hotel Santa Lucia, Napoli
“Per vie di sapidi cristalli. Visioni pittoriche tra mare e sale” (Through Routes of Sapid Crystals. Pictorial Visions Between Sea and Salt), Elle Arte, Palermo
“Per vie di sapidi cristalli. Visioni pittoriche tra mare e sale” (Through Routes of Sapid Crystals. Pictorial Visions Between Sea and Salt), Cappella dell'Incoronata, Museo Riso, Palermo
2019-2020
“Venite adoremus. I presepi di Salvatore Caputo” (Venite Adoremus. Nativity Scenes by Salvatore Caputo), Sant'Ippolito Church, Patti
2018
“Dal mare, nel mare. Dialoghi equorei attraverso il tempo” (From the Sea, Into the Sea. Marine Dialogues Through Time), Museo "A. Pepoli", Trapani
2017
“Nella casa di Tucci. Dipinti e poesie per Castania” (In Tucci's home. Paintings and Poems for Castania), at the Frantoio Cinquecentesco, Castania di Castell'Umberto
“Notturni, Fiori ed altre cose” (Nocturnes, Flowers and Other Things), Centro d'Arte Moderna "Agatirio", Capo d'Orlando
2015-2016
“Sinestesie del Natale. Essenze e presepi al Castello di Montalbano” (Christmas Synesthesiae. Scents and Nativity Scenes at the Montalbano Castle), at the “Castello di Federico", Montalbano Elicona
2015
"Sulle tracce del Mito. La Sicilia nel percorso artistico di Salvatore Caputo" (On the Path of Myth. Sicily in Salvatore Caputo’s Artistic Career), at the “Fondazione Famiglia Piccolo di Calanovella", Capo d'Orlando
2014
“Colori Vissuti” (Lived Colors) anthological cycle of six solo shows, all hosted at the Ethnohistorical Library “E. Vittorietti”, Steri Palace, Palermo
“Di molti mari e molteplici Itache. Cinquant’anni di pittura di Salvatore Caputo” (Of Many Seas and Multiple Ithacas. Fifty Years of Paintings by Salvatore Caputo), anthological solo show at the “Ex Convento San Francesco", Patti
2013
"Tra realtà sognate e placidi ricordi" (Between Dreamt Realities and Peaceful Memories), at the “Lupo'Art” Art Gallery, Palermo
2012
"Tra sogni, miti e ricordi" (Amongst Dreams, Myths and Memories), at the Sant’Elia Palace, Palermo
2011
"Mitici Appunti" (Mythical Notes), at the “Complesso Monumentale Guglielmo II”, Monreale
2009
"I segni del tempo" (The Signs of Time), at the Archaeological Museum of Agrigento
2008
“Percorsi mediterranei” (Mediterranean Routes), solo show at the Spicuzza Theatre, Palermo
Solo show at the San Sebastiano Church during the event “6 chiese per 6 artisti” (6 Churches For 6 Artists), Ficarra
“I luoghi degli Dei” (The Places of Gods), at the Hotel Relais “Angimbè”, Alcamo
2003
"I luoghi del mito" (The Places of Myth), at the Fondazione Mazzullo (hosted in the Duchi di Santo Stefano Palace), Taormina
"Opere recenti" (Recent Works), at the “I Tre Capricorni” Art Gallery, Altamura
2001
"Appunti mediterranei" (Mediterranean Notes), at the “Lupo’Art” Art Gallery, Palermo
Solo show at the Town Hall, Castell’Umberto
"S’ode ancora il mare" (The Sea Can Still Be Heard), at the “Elle Arte” Art Gallery, Palermo
Solo show at the “Arte Oggi” Art Gallery, Reggio Calabria
Solo show at the “Artefiera” fair, Bologna
2000
"Appunti di Pentecoste" (Pentecost Notes), at the Palermo Cathedral, Palermo
1999
"Opere di Miracolo" (Endeavor of Miracle), at the Stella Maris Charity, Palermo
"Lune – dipinti notturni di Salvatore Caputo" (Moons – Nocturne Paintings by Salvatore Caputo), at the Marconi Palace, Alcamo
1998
"Impervie Rosee Sabbie ed altro ancora" (Ardue Rosy Sands and More), at the “Lupo’Art” Art Gallery, Palermo
Solo show at the “Ancon Arte” fair, Ancona
Solo show at the “Palermo Arte Fiera” fair, Palermo
Solo show during the event “L’Isola dipinta - Cinquant’anni di natura e paesaggio” (The Painted Island - Fifty Years of Nature and Landscape), at the “Il Vittoriano” monument, Rome
"I luoghi di Dafni" (The Places of Daphnis), at the Chiesa SS. Crocifisso, Castelbuono
1997
"Celesteterreno – Pitture per spazi sacri (Celestialearthly – Paintings for Sacred Spaces)", (travelling exhibition) at the “Centro d’arte moderna Agatirio” Art Gallery, Capo d’Orlando, and Chiesa dei Catalani, Messina
"Il Nitore della Speranza - Icone pasquali di Salvatore Caputo" (The Brightness of Hope - Easter Icons by Salvatore Caputo), at the Palermo Cathedral, Palermo
Solo show at the “Lineart” fair, Ghent (Belgium)
"Pittura per spazi Sacri" (Painting for Sacred Spaces), solo show at Mazara del Vallo
Solo show at the “Palermo Arte Fiera” fair, Palermo
1996
"Voci, luoghi della storia - Dipinti anni Novanta di Salvatore Caputo" (Voices, Places of History - Salvatore Caputo’s Paintings of the 1990s), at the Santi Elena e Costantino Church, Palermo
"Palermo come Passione" (Palermo as Passion), at the “Lupo’Art” Art Gallery, Palermo
Solo show at the “Palermo Arte Fiera” fair, Palermo
1995
"I Frammenti della Memoria" (The Fragments of Memory), Mazara del Vallo
"I luoghi di Teti – dipinti ed oggetti d’arte di Salvatore Caputo" (The Places of Thetis – Paintings and Art Objects by Salvatore Caputo), at the “Lupo’Art” Art Gallery, Palermo
"Naturae", at the “Studio 71” Art Gallery, Palermo
1994
"Recinti Luminosi - I presepi di Salvatore Caputo" (Bright Enclosures - Salvatore Caputo's Nativity Scenes), at the Palermo Cathedral, Palermo
"L’officina di Adone" (The Workshop of Adonis), at the “Rivera” Art Gallery, Turin
"Magica Morgana" (Magical Morgana), at the “Il Sagittario” Art Gallery, Messina
1993
"Lo sguardo dalla torre" (The View From the Tower), at the Cloister of Sixtus IV (Sacro Convento, Basilica of St. Francis), Assisi
"Tragitto virtuale tra mito e leggenda" (Virtual journey between myth and legend), at the “Ciambrina” Art Gallery, Monreale
1992
"Le luci del Tirreno" (Lights of the Tyrrhenian Sea), at the “DAM - Diffusione Arte Moderna” Art Gallery, Palermo
"Il verde, lo sguardo" (The Green, The Look), at the “Centro d’arte moderna Agatirio” Art Gallery, Capo d’Orlando
1990
"I giardini di Adone" (The Gardens of Adonis), at the Gallery of Modern Art (hosted in the Aragonese Castle), Taranto
1989
"Nubi" (Clouds), at the “Pier Paolo Pasolini” Art Gallery, Agrigento
1988
"Terrazze mediterranee" (Mediterranean Terraces), solo show at the “Linee d’Arte Giada” Art Gallery on the occasion of “Il mare degli Dei” (The Sea of Gods) book launch, Palermo
Solo show at the “Centro Arti Visive” Art Gallery, Marsala
1987
"Sujets nocturnes", at the “Nuove Prospettive” Art Gallery, Palermo
Solo show at the Torre del Lauro Town Hall
1985
Solo show at the “Linee d’Arte Giada” Art Gallery, Palermo
1984
Solo show at the “Linee d’Arte Giada” Art Gallery, Palermo
1981
Solo show at the “Linee d’Arte Giada” Art Gallery, Palermo
1979
Solo show at the “La Sonda” Art Gallery, L’Aquila
Solo show at the “Inquadrature” Art Gallery, Florence
Solo show at the “Linee d’Arte Giada” Art Gallery, Palermo
1978
Solo show at the “Centro d’Arte 99” Art Gallery, Palermo
Solo show at the “Flegias” Art Gallery, Rome
1977
Solo show at the “Centro Diffusione Arte” Art Gallery, Mazara del Vallo
Solo show at the “Il Vertice” Art Gallery, Palermo
1976
Solo show at the “Il Grifone” Art Gallery, Caltanissetta
Solo show at the “Centro Diffusione Arte” Art Gallery, Mazara del Vallo
Solo show at the “Euno” Art Gallery, Enna
Solo show at the “Margutta” Art Gallery, Syracuse (Sicily)
1975
Solo show at the “Il Vertice” Art Gallery (in November), Palermo
Solo show at the “Arteka” Art Gallery, Palermo
Solo show at the “Il Vertice” Art Gallery (in February), Palermo
1974
Solo show at the “Il Vertice” Art Gallery, Palermo
1973
Solo show at the “Il Trittico” Art Gallery, Palermo
1971
Solo show at the “Il Cenacolo” Art Gallery (in October), Palermo
Solo show at the “Il Cenacolo” Art Gallery (in March), Palermo
1969
Solo show at the “Portici” Art Gallery, Patti
1964
Solo show at the Patti “Pro Loco”
Solo show at the Hotel Miravalle, Naso