Antonio DIEGO Voci *

Diego was born in Rome on August 10, 1920. At the age of 12 he won a years scholarship for a design course in Rome. After completing this course, he continued his education at the Lyce d' Art where he studied sculpture and painting for 3 years. In 1939 he spent one year at the Academy San Marco, Florence, but his studies were interrupted by the war. During 1945 he returned to Italy and continued studying at the Academy San Marco until 1948. Next he went to live in Paris to further his studies. After Paris he spent an intensive year traveling to such places as Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Turkey, North America, Scandinavia, and England.

Venice became his home in 1949; however, he also displayed his work in Turin, and Capri as well as Venice. In 1951 the city of Venice sponsored a display for Italian Artists. Cario Carrà, one of the most important living Italian artists won first prize. DIEGO won second prize. Also, in 1951 he had a series of one-man shows in Switzerland and painted for galleries who had handled master artists such as Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet and others.

From 1953 to 1970  he traveled continuously showing in Milan, Rome, and other places. He also accepted commissions to do frescos, sculptures, relief sculptures and canvases at several Italian restaurants, galleries and private collectors throughout Europe.

In 1962 a painting of DIEGO's was selected by a group in Italy and flown to Wiesbaden and presented to President Kennedy during the Europe-American Week ceremonies.

While in Italy in 1966 DIEGO was once again offered opportunities for one-man shows in several of Italy's largest cities. He was also approached by Alfa Romero to do a commission for them.

In the late 1960s or early 1970s DIEGO settled in Wiesbaden, Germany - opening a gallery there.

Among the important influences in DIEGO's life are Professor Carena who is one of Italy's great religious artists, and whose paintings can be found in the Museum of Modern Art in Rome. DIEGO has also worked as an assistant to Calcagnia D'Oro who is known for his church frescos. From the past DIEGO admires Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, and Van Gogh. The influence of these artists can be seen in some of his paintings.

In his art, DIEGO has great versatility of subject, style and technique. His more popular subjects include French ladies of the 19th Century, old men, beautiful women, nudes, horses, and European and African landscapes.

DIEGO seems to have a photographic memory because he seldom uses sketches or a model and usually paints creatively or from memory. His versatility proves his talent and skill. DIEGO's styles range from Italian Renaissance to Realism, Impressionism, figurative, surrealism, semi-abstract, to abstract. He has mastered several techniques using brushes and knives for his oils, charcoal, inks, watercolor, and tempera for his drawings and sketches, plaster, wood, metal and plastic for his sculptures. The artist loves texture and uses various media to achieve the textural affects he desires.

Most of his work that resides in the United States was purchased by Americans living in Europe - mostly military or IBM employees.

Diego died in 1985, and sometime thereafter, Helga (his wife) closed the gallery in Wiesbaden.