Fiorenzo Masino Bessi is the graphic designer of the sixth emission 50, 100 and 500 Lira banknotes, whose Atatürk portrait engravings were made by Alfred Nefe (*1).
Masino Bessi’s most famous works are the Italian banknotes from the early 1960s, when he was commissioned by the Bank of Italy to redesign banknotes in need of renewal in a way that would honor Italian creativity.
Portraits of Verdi, Raphael and Michelangelo were initially proposed for the 1.000, 5.000 and 10.000 Lire banknotes. Later, Raphael was replaced by Christopher Columbus, and Leonardo da Vinci was chosen for the 10,000 Lire banknote as a pioneer of scientific research and modern technology.
Bessi also reworked the designs of the 5.000 and 10.000 Lire banknotes, previously designed by artist Lazzaro Lazzarini, to ensure a coherent design for the entire series (*2).
Sketches and examples of Italian banknotes.
He also designed the graphic banknotes of various countries such as Indonesia (1952 1.000 Rupees), Belgium (1961 series of 100, 500 and 1.000 Francs) and Israel (1968 10, 50 and 100 Pounds).
* Click for other artists who contributed to the design of Turkish coins.
[1] EkoTürk TV interview with Şükrü Ertürk (in Turkish).
[2] source: Bank of Italy, history of emissions.
[3] banknote images: (CBRT) Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye Virtual Museum
