Gianfranco Fini was born in Rome in 1936. After studying at the Liceo Artistico and spending a year studying painting in Paris, he returned to Italy, dividing his time between the architecture program at the University of Rome and his work as a painter, associating with a group of artists from his generation (including Schifano, Angeli, Festa, Kounellis, Ceroli, and others). After a year of bohemian life—later recounted in his autobiographical book, Memories of an Intruder—he abandoned painting but continued to follow those artists and that world throughout his life while committing to his university studies. A few years later, he began his freelance career, designing villas, shops, film sets, as well as design projects for Poltronova, New Lamp, and interior design for private residences and boutiques, including four Valentino boutiques in Rome, Monaco, Paris, and New York. Alongside sculptor Mario Ceroli, he designed opera sets for venues such as La Scala in Milan, La Fenice in Venice, the Verona Arena, and the Rome Opera House.