Italo Bettiol died this Wednesday, December 28 in the morning at the age of 96. A pioneer in children’s animation, co-creator of Chapi Chapo with Stefano Lonati in 1974, the artist had lived in Aniane with his wife, Françoise, for twenty years.
Italo Bettiol died on Wednesday December 28 at the age of 96. An artist as eclectic as he is prolific, he was notably the co-creator, with Stefano Lonati and Françoise Bettiol, of the animated series for children, Chapi Chapo, broadcast from 1974. The man, a graduate of fine arts in Milan , had left his native Italy in 1947 with the firm ambition of becoming a painter.
An immense poetic heritage
He leaves a legacy of immense poetry. “He transmitted to generations of creators a very particular, very simple imagination. He was able to create an entire universe with three pieces of string. This heritage is still extremely modern, it will last. It will be 49 years since Chapi Chapo exists and there were many works before and after”, greets Nicolas Pontic Martin, artist close to the Bettiol couple.
A still very modern universe
This summer, in Aniane where he had lived with Françoise Bettiol for twenty years, an exhibition imagined around the world of Chapi Chapo had met with great success. “He didn’t want this exposition be a tribute. Italo has always remained a big child, of extraordinary generosity and courage, always connected to his time”, testifies Nicolas Pontic Martin again.
To his wife Françoise Bettiol, his family and loved ones, Free lunch sends its most sincere condolences.