Emilio Lanzi is also known as Ernest Emil Lanz. He was an internationally known painter, lecturer, writer and teacher. Born in Bern, Switzerland, he studied at the Swiss Art Academy of Bern, at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, Colorossi, and Academie Julian in Paris, France.  Lanzi took a course in portraiture at the Academy at Munich, Germany, and two years of anatomy at the Sorbonne University of Paris.

He studied with the greatest artist-teachers of the day, Robert Fleury,Plinio Colombi, Christopher Baumgartner, etc, and exhibited extensively in Europe and America. His work is represented in many private collections and galleries, and includes portraits and landscapes.

He taught at the Keszthelyi Academy of Fine Arts and held many positions of  responsibility at clubs and societies in the U.S. and abroad.  He was the President-Founder of the Atheneum of Philosophy, Science and Art, and a member of the AAPL, the Bohemian Club, Prof. Artists Guild, California Art Club, F.I.A.L., St. Martin, Hermetic Lodge, Gnostic Sc., Phoenix, Es. Phil., Masonic Lodge, and others.

He is well known for his California and Arizona Desert scenes, marines, still lives, portraits, large group compositions, and mythological and religious subject series. He received many medals, prizes and awards. He exhibited at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles in 1954.

Emilio and his wife, Theresa Lanzi, maintained a studio in Los Angeles, California.

Source: vintage Lanzi Fine Art Studios biographical pages, title cards, and exhibition stickers affixed verso of various oil paintings; some title and exhibition stickers say Emil Lanz, some say Emilio Lanzi.