DIEGO VOCI PRECURSOR TO #BASQUIAT?

Diego Voci; “Untitled” Abstract oil on canvas ca. 1966

Amazingly this painting by internationally collected artist Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985) appeared this year for sale online for $150. Basquiat aficionados at first sight declared it to be a Basquiat, if so he (Basquiat) would have only been 6 years old. See the (above & below) similar impromptu strokes of the brush bringing unrelated shapes and lines together in a strangely beautiful work of art.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) artworks are in demand by the big time art collectors worldwide, selling in the millions of dollars to acquire. Once a lover of #AndyWarhol, Museums covet Basquiat / Warhol collaborative works.

Warhol & Basquiat above Basquiat above

NOTE: Coop Cooprider, Diego Voci Historian, has certified the work shown here as authentic Diego, circa 1966 that’s when Diego left the prestigious Schlossgalerie in Zurich, and moved to Germany, home of his lover and wife to be Helga Drossler. Helga Voci, Diego’s widow still living in Germany confirmed “Yes”, it’s a Diego. He was always experimenting.” There he affiliated with 2 galleries, Naffouj Gallery in Landstuhl and Galerie Dahms in Wiesbaden. The Diego work shown here is one of the very first with the “Diego” signature. Joy Naffouj convinced Diego that since “he” is known by Diego, sign the work “Diego”. Before the “Diego” signature, he signed some form of Voci (https://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-history-4330818.html#43343).

FRUSTRATED VAN GOGH COULDN’T SELL ANYTHING

#VanGogh artistic talent was among the all-time best.  But, it didn’t sell until many years after his #death; and now Van Gogh’s works bring in multi-millions worldwide.

As noted in the Wikipedia biography (see below) of internationally collected artist Antonio Diego Voci (1920-85), he was motivated not to live the cash-strapped lives of Van Gogh and Modigliani and lived the good life solely from the buyers of his art.

“Diego thrived on camaraderie, as did other artists before him, such as Amedeo Modigliani, both “figurative” artists, both Italian born, both migrated to Paris.  Among Diego’s many facets was a drive never to be poor, never to live a tormented drug ridden life of Amedeo Modigliani who at age 35 “died in Paris exacerbated by poverty only one exhibition to his credit.” or the tortured life of Vincent van Gogh who died at age 37, with only one painting purchased in his lifetime. Diego greatly admired the exceptional work of both artists, but, unlike both artists who found few buyers for their work, in their lifetime, Diego did for his.”