Leo Castelli
Leo Castelli (1907–1999) was an influential Italian-American art dealer, celebrated for his pivotal role in promoting American contemporary art in the postwar era. Born in Trieste, Italy, Castelli moved to New York City where he opened his gallery in 1957. His gallery became a hub for groundbreaking artists such as Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, and later, Roy Lichtenstein and Donald Judd, among others. Castelli is credited with developing the modern art market system, introducing a new way of supporting artists through stipends and fostering their careers with a global perspective.