Androniqi Zengo Antoniu (26 May 1913 – 10 February 2000) was an Albanian painter. She is considered to the first professional woman painter from Albania, along with her sister Sofia Zengo Papadhimitri, and with Vangjush Mijo is credited with the introduction of impressionism to the country.
During her lifetime, Zengo Antoniu had at least three solo exhibitions.[1] Her first in 1935; her second in 1937 - to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of Albania.[3][7] She also took part in various group exhibitions, including one in New York in 1939.[1] In 1963 she exhibited at the Alexandria Biennale, and was awarded two medals. She also worked alongside her father and painted several churches in her hometown, in Tirana and other places in Albania. In 1964 she painted the Vangjelizmo Church in Tirana.[7]
She died on 10 February 2000.[7] Alongside Vangjush Mijo, Zengo Antoniu is credited with the introduction of impressionism to the Albania.[8]
Legacy
Zengo Antoniu's surviving body of work consists of over 500 pieces. There are 55 of her works are in the collection of the Albanian National Museum of Fine Arts.[3] Her works have featured in several retrospectives. In 2013 she featured in an exhibition examining the work of both her family, Zengo, and that of the Antoniu family.[9] In 2017, works by her were posthumously presented at documenta 14.[10]
According to art historians Shpresa Tolaj Gjonbalaj and Rregjina Gokaj, her works are part of the canon of second generation of Albanian art.[11]
One of the streets in Tirana's Laprakë district is named after her.[12]
^Keefe, Eugene K.; Studies, American University (Washington, D. C. ) Foreign Area (1971). Area Handbook for Albania. U.S. Government Printing Office.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)