Simona Dolci was born in Pesaro, Italy in 1950. She was assistant professor at the Department of Architecture at the University of Florence from 1976 to 1980. She also taught geometrical drawing, perspective and history of visual arts in Florence. After her encounter with painter Nerina Simi, Dolci left architecture to dedicate herself totally to painting, studying with Simi from 1984-1987, and at Studio Cecil-Graves from 1988-91. Since completing her training, she has worked privately in Florence, concentrating on figurative work and portraiture. She has been featured in numerous group exhibitions, and her paintings are in private collections in Italy, France, England, US and Mexico. Group exhibitions include: 2003 “Realism Revisited”, Panorama Museum, Germany, traveling to Hirschl and Adler Galleries, N.Y., Century Gallery, Alexandria, Virginia, Andreeva Portrait Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2004 and in 2005 The Florence Academy of Art First Annual Alumni Exhibition, Florence, Italy.

“For some time in my work I have been reflecting on the theme of seduction. In the painting of Olga, the female figure is represented alone with neither action nor narration. She is in a neutral environment but her presence and her silks indicate a particular intention of seduction. The Latin “seducere” means to “draw to yourself”. Over time, the art of seduction has been the domain of women, and is closely related with their representation of themselves.”