Paolo Canciani was born in Milan. He studied at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts of Brera obtaining his Diploma in History of Arts and Costume.
He then started working as a designer for Ken Scott, an American painter and dressmaker of the 70s and in 1980 he opened up his atelier with Tullia, an interior decorator from Milan.
Together they created textiles, objects and furniture decorating hotels and many important houses around the world and since then he has been alternating his activity as painter and designer.

Since 1990 Paolo Canciani has regularly been exhibiting his works.
His paintings are figurative, classical and contemporary all at once, strong and anachronistic, sometimes enriched by architectural details.

Inspired by archaeology and by the absolute beauty of Greek statues, Canciani’s portraits of Antinous, Doryphores and Venus are full of pathos and fine nuances and often characterised by a personal touch such as butterflies, roses and other symbols representing love and desire.
His works are constantly exhibited in many galleries in Italy, Switzerland, Monte-Carlo and in the US in New York, Long Island and New Jersey.