Matthew Collins was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1970. Nurtured in an artistic family, his enthusiasm for painting was encouraged from the earliest age. By his early teens, his study of drawing had already begun under the tutelage of his father, James Edward Collins, an award-winning architect.
After graduating with a B.A. in History of Art and Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Matthew attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he focused on drawing, etching and sculpture. He finished numerous copies from the Art Instituteâs collection, including inspirational works by Goya, Ingres, Corot, Manet, Whistler and Sargent.
In 1994, Matthew traveled to Florence, Italy to continue his training at the Charles H. Cecil Studios. His experience with Cecil was complemented with an immersion in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. During the course of his studies Matthew began teaching at the school. He now conducts various courses there, from advanced portrait painting to sculpture.
Matthew creates artwork of unusually wide breadth. His oil paintings, frescos and sculptures show a mastery of technique and a sensitivity to the subject that is uniquely his own. Not limited to a single genre, he applies his vision to portraiture, landscape, decoration and figurative subjects.
Based in Florence, Italy, Matthew divides his time between Europe and Chicago. He has exhibited internationally and his works are represented in private collections throughout the United States and Europe.
Matthew James Collins
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