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Mario Chiari
Trained as an architect, he entered films as an assistant director and scenarist in 1940, but established himself as a leading art director in the following decade. Most closely associated with the work of Luchino Visconti, Chiari first created sets and costumes for his stage plays beginning in 1947, then designed several of his films ("Le Notte Bianche/White Nights" 1957, "Ludwig" 1972) while evolving the lush, ornate style for which he is best known.