This month in the DIEGO_VOCI NEWSLETTER, Stephen Max, DVP Producer, shares with you his thoughts on #Clowns and #Children, both subjects that Antonio DIEGO Voci never tired of putting to canvas. Here are two that were discovered this August! Click on the Newsletter link below our 2 excellent DIEGO images. There is a BONUS video, too!
“The Two Clowns”, Oil on Canvas, #851-309, 80x 60cm, Framed 38.25 x 30.5 in, 1975, Private Collectors Jack and Iremengard Beckett.
“Ragazzi A Tavola”, Oil on Canvas, #951-347 80x60cm, Framed 38.5 x 30.5 inc., 1975. Private Collectors Jack and Iremengard Beckett.
3 years ago, we the DIEGO VOCI PROJECT posted an exquisite artwork by Antonio DIEGO Voci asking “Where is it Now?” We heard nothing. So, I (Kami Cooprider) happened to see the Index Card which #Helga_Voci created to track #DIEGO’s sales over the years, shown below the true color image here: “Arlequin sur la Plage” by #DIEGO
“Arlequin sur la Plage” by DIEGO_VOCI (161-433, 20 x 24 in. Overall size 26.25 x 30.25 in.)
I decided to search for the owner’s name on the card. Low and behold there was a man of the same name right nearby in Chula Vista, CA – just miles down the road from San Diego. Making a photocopy, I snail-mailed the images to Gene A. and gave him our DVP phone number! 2 days later the call came in. Gene was as surprised by our mail as we were to hear back from him. YES, he still owned this exquisite oil painting “Arlequin sur la Plage” and it graces Gene’s walls still today! And,he owns 2 more #DIEGO artworks!
Better still is the story Gene shared about how, while visiting with DIEGO, he noticed there was a trace of a figure on the wall on the left next to the #Harlequin:
So, Gene asked DIEGO to paint over it some before taking it home. Yet, here we are 40 years later and the figure is starting to slowly reappear according to Gene. The next day Gene sent an image of the back of the canvas – here you see it. DIEGO often painted over canvases and always said, “You don’t ask yourself what day do you have the idea… it grows from yourself.” – DIEGO Quote from Victoria Williams article 1974.
#Arlequin Sur La Plage by #DIEGO_VOCI (161-433 20 x 24 in. Overall size 26.25 x 30.25 in.)
We’ll be featuring another of Gene’s DIEGO artworks soon! Keep an eye out for more . . .
CHECK OUT #Harlequins, #Alequins, and #Harlekins by Antonio DIEGO Voci:
“CLOWN VOR DEM ZIRKUSZELT” – Antonio DIEGO Voci (1920-1985) was a playful character. Diego, as he was best known, liked being at the center of the happenings! Described as “charismatic”, “worldly”, a “man’s man”, “empathetic” and “boisterous” in nature. Diego did have a great sense of humor. No wonder Diego could whip out clowns with ease and fun!
Over the last 10 years the Diego Voci Project has been privy to many of Diego’s clown faces sent by many of you. Most we’ve seen and shared on social media are of the chest/neck upward always with great detail in the eyes and face. This particular clown includes a circus tent that is highlighted in the background and on the left some bright colored squares with hues of the sun fading into the sky.
Before Tom Catron won it at auction in South Dakota, Beverly Cowan had purchased Diego’s clown in Germany. Beverly was a teacher to 6th grade students for 5 years, she must have had a sense of humor to teach young kids in the 70’s!
Beverly’s clown does not exactly smile, but then again we’ve seen very few with smiles. Most DIEGO clowns have a neutral expression or even somber faces. Here a white cap is balanced with the broad wide collar, also emphasizing his make-up. The grand greenish bow tie with thin vertical red stripes is centered and bold. And, the eyes follow you once more, . . . now, see more DIEGO clowns: https://www.pinterest.com/diegovoci/clowns-diegovocitm/
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