Head of State Giorgio Napolitano on Tuesday led Italy in mourning directing legend Michelangelo Antonioni, who died on Monday evening at the age of 94.
"Our country has lost one of the greatest figures of 20th-century cinema and expressive experimentation," said a visibly moved Napolitano.
"Antonioni elaborated a biting critique of indifference and alienation, showing great depth of sensitivity and stimulating reflection on the drama of solitude," the president said.
Tributes to the creator of groundbreaking movies such as L'Avventura and Blowup stressed Antonioni's success at portraying modern angst and existential malaise, as well as his iconic status for generations of filmmakers the world over.
Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, who has a passion for film, said that "we have lost not only one of the greatest living directors but also a master of modern cinema".
"Without Antonioni, cinema would not have been the same," the mayor said.
Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli said that "Antonioni was a pioneer... who explored challenging themes such as incommunicability and alienation. His death ends a historic period of Italian cinema".
Many mourners spoke of a double blow to the world of cinema since Antonioni's death came a few hours after that of Swedish giant Ingmar Bergman.
French Culture Minister Christine Albanel said that "European cinema has been plunged into even deeper mourning. The affinity between Antonioni and Bergman goes beyond their stature as great masters".
"Antonioni will remain an endless source of inspiration for future generations of filmmakers. He also taught us a lesson in courage by continuing to work despite his illness," Albanel said.
Antonioni suffered a near-lethal stroke in 1985 which left him partially paralysed and unable to speak.
Despite his disabilities, he continued to work and in 1995, at the age of 83 and after an absence of 13 years, he made a comeback with the movie Al di la' delle Nuvole (Beyond the Clouds).
This was followed by the 2004 film Eros, which contained Antonioni's last work.
The erotic drama consists of three episodes, one shot by Antonioni and the others by two contemporary big names - America's Oscar-winning Steven Soderbergh and Hong Kong's art-house king Wong Kar-wai.
Antonioni's contribution, Il Filo Pericoloso delle Cose (The Dangerous Thread of Things), was filmed in November 2001 and came after a six-year lull from directing.
Admirers of Antonioni will be able to pay their respects to the director on Wednesday morning, when his body will lie in state at Rome's city hall.
His funeral will be held on Thursday in his home town of Ferrara in northeast Italy.
