"riga"
Paul César Helleu was a French oil painter, pastel artist, drypoint etcher, and designer, best known for his numerous portraits of beautiful society women of the Belle Époque. He also conceived the ceiling mural of night sky constellations for Grand Central Terminal in New York City. He was also the father of Jean Helleu and the grandfather of Jacques Helleu, both artistic directors for Parfums Chanel.
Francesco Petrarca was an Italian poet, the founder of European humanism, and one of the greatest figures of the Italian Proto-Renaissance.
Petrarca studied at the University of Montpellier, then at the University of Bologna, in 1330 entered the service of Cardinal Giovanni Colonna as a chaplain. Then he made various pilgrimages, in 1353 settled in Milan at the court of Archbishop Giovanni Visconti, and carried out important diplomatic missions. Petrarca spent the last years of his life in the village of Arquà near Padua.
Since 1337 Petrarca began to write literary works: these were historical poems in Latin and lyric poems in Italian. In 1327 Francesco saw Laura for the first time, undivided love for which was the main source of his poetry. Laura was for him an object of adoration and pure platonic love. Despite the fact that they saw each other only a few times and were not really acquainted, Petrarca carried this feeling through his life.
Passionate about ancient culture, Petrarch deciphered and commented on the manuscripts of Cicero, Quintilian and others. He opposed medieval scholasticism interest in the earthly purpose of man, argued that the nobility of man depends not on the nobility of origin, but on his virtue. Petrarca highly valued the mind and creative abilities of man, and these humanistic ideas found vivid expression in his lyrics, revealing the inner world of man. Petrarca's work laid the foundation for the formation of Italian humanism. He also dreamed of the unification of Italy, the revival of the former greatness of Rome.
Francesco Petrarca had one of the richest libraries of his time, where ancient Roman writers, poets, historians, philosophers were represented. He was one of the brightest representatives of the culture of the Renaissance. Petrarca's works are characterized by perfection of form and musicality of verse, which played a significant role in the development of European poetry. Among his works are the poem "Africa" about the Second Punic War in Latin, allegorical pastoral eclogues "Bucolics" (1346/1357), a book of songs "My Italy", "Noble Spirit", sonnets, etc.
Raoul Dufy, a renowned French artist, is celebrated for his vibrant and decorative style, which left a significant mark in the realms of Fauvism and Post-Impressionism. Born in 1877 in Le Havre, France, Dufy's artistic journey was profoundly influenced by Henri Matisse's Fauvist work "Luxe, Calme et Volupté," which he encountered at the Salon des Indépendants in 1905. This experience steered him towards Fauvism, a style that emphasized bold contours and bright colors.
Dufy's artistic evolution saw him briefly embrace Cubism around 1920, after which he developed a unique approach. This approach, often referred to as stenographic, was characterized by skeletal structures, foreshortened perspectives, and the use of thin, quickly applied washes of color. His works, known for their cheerful and fashionably decorative nature, often depicted scenes of leisure like yachting, the French Riviera, and chic parties, capturing the essence of the period's optimism.
In addition to his painting, Dufy was also a commercial artist, illustrator, and designer, contributing significantly to textile design and public murals. His large-scale public art commissions combined modern and allegorical subjects with exuberant outlines and intense colors, showcasing a modernist take on traditional mural work. Notable works by Dufy include "The Regatta," "The Harvester," and the monumental "The Electricity Fairy," a large mural commissioned for the 1937 World's Fair in Paris.
His works are housed in prestigious public collections worldwide, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Despite his artistic achievements, Dufy's focus on decorative art and the lack of engagement with wider social concerns has led to a varied critical reception of his work. Nonetheless, his contribution to 20th-century art, particularly in popularizing a vibrant and illustrative style, remains undisputed.
If Raoul Dufy's artistry captivates you and you wish to stay informed about the latest artworks, exhibitions, and auction events related to this remarkable artist, we invite you to sign up for our updates. By subscribing, you'll receive timely notifications about new pieces for sale and upcoming auctions. This is a wonderful opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts to enhance their appreciation and possibly their collections of Dufy's work. Stay connected with the world of art and don't miss any chance to acquire unique pieces by this celebrated artist.
