Franco Costa (1934 – 2015) was an Italian painter whose visual inspiration draws from a rich history of artistic friendships and worldly influences which can be seen in his characteristically distilled graphic pieces. He is well known for his art associated with several major sailing events, and his background includes stained glass, music, language and literature, cinema, costume design, sculptures and textiles. His friends, acquaintances and collaborators include Nicolas de Staël, Pablo Picasso, Henry Matisse, Che Guevara, Dior, Lancetti, Grès, Valentino, Federico Fellini and Stanley Kubrick. His travels took him through many varied locations around the globe including Scotland, Switzerland, France, Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia, China, India, Nepal, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and of course his home of Italy.
