Castelli, Leo

Castelli, Leo (b. Krauss)

(1907– ) art dealer; born in Trieste, Italy. He adopted his mother's maiden name (Castelli) in 1919, graduated from the University of Milan, emigrated to New York City, and studied at Columbia University (1941–43). From 1957 he was the director and owner of the Leo Castelli Gallery and Castelli Graphics. He specialized in avant-garde American paintings, sculptures, and graphics, and was an important force in modern American art.