Raffaele Quattrone is an Italian sociologist and contemporary art curator whose work has always moved along two intertwined paths: sociological analysis as a tool for understanding society and contemporary art as a language of representation, resistance, and imagination. Educated at the University of Urbino and the University of Florence, he developed a strong interest in the cultural dynamics within the field of contemporary art early in his academic career.

In 2010, he published his first book, Modernity and the Art Field. For a Critical Sociology of Contemporary Art, a work deeply influenced by the critical theories of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. In this text, Quattrone analyzes the art system as a symbolic field of struggle, where power relations manifest both in the mechanisms of art production and in those of artistic validation. The book was recognized as one of the earliest Italian contributions to a critical sociological perspective on contemporary art, opening a rich interdisciplinary dialogue between sociology, aesthetics, and art criticism.

That same year, his project Dis-Orienteering: The Game of Identity in the Risk Society won the third edition of the regional competition for young curators and critics “A cura di...” (Curated by), organized by Giovani d’Arte, Municipality of Modena, and promoted by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The project explored, through a participatory and workshop-based approach, the theme of fluid identity in late modernity, anticipating future debates on intersectionality, mobility, and cultural hybridization.

In 2012, following a pivotal meeting with Carmine Muliere, director of Equipèco magazine, the book was reworked and enriched with two significant contributions: a preface by Michelangelo Pistoletto and a conversation with renowned Chinese artist Wang Qingsong. The revised edition was published in 2014 under the title IN ITINERE. Contemporary Art in Transformation, reflecting a broader and more dynamic understanding of art as a practice in continuous dialogue with social, cultural, and environmental change. That same year, Quattrone became an official ambassador for Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Rebirth – Third Paradise project, joining a global network of cultural actors dedicated to shaping a sustainable future.

From 2010 to today, Quattrone has curated numerous exhibitions across both public and private venues, working with a wide range of emerging and established artists. His curatorial practice is distinguished by a transdisciplinary approach, merging theoretical insight, poetic sensitivity, and an acute awareness of contemporary urgencies.

Since 2015, he has been closely collaborating with the Real Academia de España en Roma. In 2017, he curated Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, a dual exhibition of Alberto Di Fabio and Kepa Garraza, two artists known for combining aesthetic research with socio-political commentary. In 2019, he co-curated The Last Espaliù with Rosalia Banet and Xosé Prieto Souto, a tribute to the visionary and activist legacy of Spanish artist Pepe Espaliù. In 2023, he curated the site-specific installation Michelangelo Pistoletto, Pozzo Specchio in the Tempietto del Bramante, a poetic and symbolically charged work that reactivated one of the most significant architectural sites of the Italian Renaissance.

In 2018, Quattrone published New Faustian World. 17 Painters for the Art of the 21st Century, a theoretical and visual investigation into the human condition in the postmodern era. The book explores the work of seventeen international artists—Glenn Brown, Maurizio Cannavacciuolo, Andrea Chiesi, Tiffany Chung, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Alberto Di Fabio, Kepa Garraza, NS Harsha, Songsong Li, Alessandro Moreschini, Mauro Pipani, Imran Qureshi, Terry Rodgers, Raqib Shaw, Philip Taaffe, Josep Tornero, and Jan Worst—through the lens of the “Faustian” dilemma: humanity’s drive to surpass its limits at the risk of losing its essence.

This publication inspired two exhibitions—at Augeo Art Space in Rimini and Beatrice Burati Anderson Gallery in Venice—as well as a documentary film directed by Piero Passaro and produced by Theater 7/2 Productions. The film, translated into English, French, Spanish, Hindi, and Greek, was screened at numerous international festivals and cultural events, earning several prestigious awards. It stands as a successful example of how publishing, visual art, and film can converge to generate cross-disciplinary cultural experiences.

In parallel with his work as a curator and theorist, Quattrone held several leadership roles within the Emilia-Romagna regional section of the Italian National Association of Sociologists (ANS), serving multiple terms as president until 2019. During this time, he promoted the intersection of sociology, art, and civic engagement, developing training programs, public events, and cultural interventions across the region. His vision of sociology is action-oriented and imaginative, rooted in the belief that critical analysis must be paired with creative practices to envision and shape possible futures.

Quattrone is also a regular contributor to various national and international magazines and journals. His writing focuses on artists, exhibitions, and socio-cultural phenomena, always driven by intellectual rigor and a commitment to the ethical dimensions of art and culture. He has authored essays and critical texts for catalogs, institutions, and cultural foundations, combining academic depth with accessible language.

Quattrone’s work also includes large-scale participatory and transmedia projects that blend documentary, exhibition formats, books, public programming, and digital platforms. He is the author and ideator of NewFaustianWorld and Masterpiece. On the Trail of Wonder, two audiovisual projects in line with TV’s editorial strategies, which combine storytelling, sociological inquiry, and artistic exploration. These works reflect his long-standing effort to build bridges between the art world and wider publics.

In essence, Raffaele Quattrone represents a rare and vital figure within the contemporary cultural landscape—capable of bridging sociological analysis and artistic vision, academic rigor and poetic imagination. His work consistently seeks to decode the complexity of the present through narratives that are thoughtful, transformative, and emotionally resonant. With a growing international presence and a deep commitment to collaboration, education, and cultural sustainability, Quattrone continues to shape the dialogue between art and society in original and impactful ways.