Daniele Fortuna
Works & Biography


Italian, b. 1981, Milan - Daniele Fortuna is an Italian sculptor known for merging classical mythology with the bold language of Pop culture. Working primarily in carved wood layered and painted in vibrant acrylic hues, Fortuna creates “pixelated” sculptures that bridge antiquity and contemporary visual culture. From timeless figures such as Venus and Zeus to modern icons like Batman and Mickey Mouse, his work reimagines mythological and popular subjects through stacked wooden forms and luminous neon color.
By transforming revered classical archetypes into dynamic, accessible objects,Fortuna brings the past into dialogue with the present. After studying at the European Institute of Design in Milan, Fortuna’s experience working in a lighting studio in Ireland deepened his engagement with wood as a primary material—an influence that continues to define his sculptural practice today.
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Daniele Fortuna, La Grande Odalisque, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 2025, Painted Wood, 48w x 23H x 19D Inches.
Daniele Fortuna, Imagine All the People, Wood and Acrylic Paint, 27.5 27.5 x 2.5 In. 
Daniele Fortuna in his Studio
Daniele Fortuna, Nymph, 2022, Wood, 58H x 30W x 30W in.
Daniele Fortuna, Aphrodite Venus, 2021, Painted Wood, 81 ½ H x 47 ¼ W x 29 ¾ D In.
Daniele Fortuna, All Together on the Wall, Wood and Acrylic Painting, 70W x 29H x 12D In. 
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  • From the captivating dream-worlds of mythology, Daniele Fortuna channels his childhood fascination into stunning works of art.

  • Each sculpture merges timeless figures with modern flair, blending intricate craftsmanship and bold contemporary color to create a vivid, three-dimensional narrative.Today, he brings these childhood heroes to life and gives them a third dimension in the form of intricate wooden sculptures with a splash of contemporary colour.

  • ​The artist graduated from the European Institute of Design in Milan, after which he spent a few years studying abroad in Ireland, only to move back and found his studio in Piacenza, where he has been working on his sculptures ever since.

    These unique statues consist of individual pieces of wood that are cut by hand, assembled like a puzzle and hand painted, thus transforming the material beyond recognition. His sculptures establish a connection, a bridge over time, between elements of traditional Italian art and pop-art expression.

    I have always believed that it is important to recognize the "truth" in messages that come from the past and I want to reaffirm and update these messages through a new visual language. Daniele Fortuna currently lives and works in Cornovecchio, Italy.