Highlights of 2012

Another very special time this year was The Carlo Rossi Memorial Exhibition in July. Carlo passed away in 2010 at the age of ninety, painting right up to the last.

Carlo in his Studio

He was a very special artist and a special man and it was such an honour to hold an exhibition of his paintings covering the last seven decades.

Alexandra Parade

Grand Canal, Venice

La Fornacetta, Barga

The exhibition had an incredibly calm and peaceful feeling about it, and the amount of people who came to visit was overwhelming.  It was a joy for me to hear all the stories from various times in Carlo's life, they were all so positive.

The painting Carlo was working on when he passed away

It felt to me like one of the most important things I've done at the gallery and it stays with me as a very happy and rewarding time.

Carlo Rossi 1921 - 2010

Thank you again to Carlo and to Carlo's family.


This is our last blog of 2012, so I want to thank all of you for taking the time to look and for kindly supporting Smithy Gallery.

Happy holidays!

Natalie

Carlo Rossi RSW RGI 1921-2010

The Carlo Rossi RSW RGI Memorial exhibition comes to an end this Sunday.  What an amazing experience it has been.  A poignant, but genuinely happy time.

It has been wonderful for me to observe the appreciation that so many people have for Carlo's work, and for Carlo the man.

Hundreds of people have visited over the last four weeks to take this opportunity to view Carlo's collection of works, possibly for the last time.  He has left a remarkable legacy, although he possibly wouldn't have seen it like that.  He just loved to paint.

This is the last painting that Carlo was working on when he went into hospital.  He so wanted to get back and finish it.  I hope he doesn't mind us seeing it unfinished, but I think it is quite beautiful.  The colour so vibrant and the outlook serene and magical.

I do hope that Carlo would have been happy with the exhibition, the glowing response, and the many sales that we couldn't have predicted.  So many of his paintings will be going to good homes to be loved and appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who visited the exhibition, to Carlo's sons Paolo and Mario and also to the extended family for being so encouraging.  And thank you to Carlo.

Thanks for reading

Natalie

The Light Fantastic

I think I saw a sliver of blue sky this morning, and it has put me in the mood to celebrate all things sun-drenched, warm and golden.

Monteriggioni, Siena

The late Carlo Rossi is famed for his Italian scenes, and anyone who has been to Italy knows that the light really does have this effect on the landscape.  A kind of a golden twinkle that captured Carlo's heart and imagination.  

La Fornacetta, Barga

He would capture this light with his oils, celebrate it really, and his paintings would come alive.  A beautiful subject, made more beautiful.

Sommocolono, Garfagnana

People who have come to see this memorial exhibition have been in awe of this very large Venetian scene.  Not only do many people have happy memories of Venice, but this painting exquisitely portrays the beauty and romance of the incomparable 'floating' city 

Palazzi on The Canal Grande, Venice

Somebody today commented that it looked like a 'fairytale land'.  I liked this because I don't think that this was Carlo's intention, it was just the way it came through his brush.

Bomarzo, Lazio

Many of these paintings have sold, but each and every one that hasn't yet is beautiful. This special exhibition has been extended to run until 29th July.



Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Tribute

I love the way our Carlo Rossi RSW RGI Memorial exhibition looks and feels.  Each exhibition transforms the gallery space and sometimes you have an exhibition that you wish could go on and on, such is the positive impact it has.

An exhibition of work does not have to have a positive feel to make an impact - all impact is good - but when it does, it creates a happy and peaceful atmosphere which washes over people as they enter.  It's a rare and powerful thing.

Some visitors have already been back more than once to view this exhibition.  Some cannot believe that this is possibly the last time Carlo's work will be publicly exhibited. 

People seem passionate about the beauty he has created.  Observing this response has touched me, as I realise that these memorial exhibitions (ours is the last of three) have been the most immense tribute to the man, to Carlo.

I wasn't really expecting this memorial exhibition to be a happy experience, but it has been.  Some very kind people have said how proud Carlo would have been.  I hope so.

The exhibition continues until 29 July.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Women in Love

Carlo Rossi's career spanned seventy years, and part of the beauty of having this retrospective exhibition of works through the decades, is the different focus that becomes apparent at different times in his life.

Throughout his career, but particularly later in life, Carlo's love for the beauty of Italy can be see most frequently.

Palazzi on The Canal Grande, Venice, 2001

Bomarzo, Lazio, 2005

Monteriggioni, Siena, 2004

From the 1950s onwards, Carlo was inspired by the Cubist movement when is came to his still life painting. This early 20th century movement pioneered by Picasso and Braque was incredibly influential, changing the face of painting forever, and would be impossible for a young artist to ignore.

Duet, 1982

Carlo was very successful at deconstructing the objects and the space around them, creating bold reconstructions but also very subtle ones.

Still Life Bisleri, 1975

But it's a group of paintings in 1955 that fascinate me.  Carlo's body of work is mainly made up of landscape and still life, but around this time, there is a series of female figures in all their differing moods.

Blue Girl, 1955

Nude With Crossed Arms, 1955

Girl in Green Dress, 1955

I guess it's not surprising that a man in his mid-twenties may have been preoccupied with love.  And I think Carlo was a true romantic

Donne Innamorate, 1955

This stunning painting - Women in Love - is classical in style and an unashamed ode to the gentleness and warmth of love.  It is optimistic and peaceful, and I think this painting reflects the nature of the man the most.




Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Carlo Rossi RSW RGI Tribute

The Carlo Rossi RSW RGI Memorial Exhibition opens this Sunday.  Carlo passed away in 2010 at the age of ninety.  His family have asked us to pay this special tribute to him.  It was an honour to be asked.

Carlo at work in his studio

Almost sixty paintings are being hung and the gallery is being transformed.  As I look around, it feels very special to get a glimpse of one artist's view of the world through seven decades.

Monteriggioni, Siena

And Carlo's view of the world was beautiful.  It was a pleasure to know him, and it is a pleasure to hold this exhibition as a tribute to a very special man.  The legacy of this beautiful work is quite breath-taking.  I would love as many people as possible to see it. 

Art Nouveau Building, Alexander Parade

The exhibition opens 2pm to 5pm on Sunday with wine and Italian chocolates. Please join us to celebrate the life and works of Carlo Rossi RSW RGI.

Thanks for reading

Natalie

The Talented Mr Rossi

All the Carlo Rossi RSW RGI paintings have now arrived at the gallery for the Memorial Exhibition opening on 1st July.

Septet

I expected a good collection, but nothing like this.  I adored Carlo, and I would exhibit his beautiful works in mixed exhibitions whenever he would let me.  He didn't paint to exhibit, he painted everyday because it was who he was, it was what he loved.  If I was very lucky, he would allow me to choose a couple of my favourite paintings to spirit away to the gallery!

Bomarzo, Lazio

Although Carlo was born in Glasgow, both of his parents came from Italy and the family was steeped in all things Italian.  It was almost as if he knew the sights and sounds before he ever travelled there. The history of the family is intriguing and Carlo's sons Paolo and Mario have written fascinating essays compiled in a beautiful catalogue especially for the exhibition.

The Artist's Mother

Although Carlo continued to live in Glasgow, he met a lovely girl who was visiting from Barga, Tuscany and when they married, he finally got to visit his beloved Italy.  

He and Vittoria spent much time there, and I think it may have become a spiritual home for him. This love and passion comes through in his paintings.  The warm golden light of Italy sparkles in them, even in his scenes of Glasgow! 

Art Nouveau Building, Alexander Parade



A Little Gem-215 High Street

When I went to meet his son Paolo at Carlo's studio, it was quite an experience to go through the many paintings that were there.  I could hear Carlo saying with a smile 'Now just two!'.

I got a lot more than two this time, and I hope Carlo knows how much I am going to enjoy filling the gallery with works of his from 1946 to 2008, so that people can see what an extraordinary talent he was.

La Fornacetta Barga

Having been a little tentative about how I would feel, I am gladdened to say that I feel joy, and not sadness that I get to exhibit Carlo's work when he is no longer here.  The works have already filled the gallery with sparkle and light, and anyone who has seen them peaking out of there bubble wrap has been wanting to see more and more.

Donne Innamorate

The exhibition opens on Sunday 1st July and I can't wait.

Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Carlo Rossi Memorial Exhibition

I feel honoured to have been asked to hold a memorial exhibition for the late, great Carlo Rossi RSW RGI.  Carlo passed away at the age of ninety in 2010 and his two sons want to pay tribute to their father.  They have chosen four galleries from around the UK that Carlo favoured, and I am touched to be one of them.

La Fornacetta Barga

I met Carlo around five years ago, having always been a fan of his glittering Italian scenes and strong linear still lifes.  I didn't know that when I met him I would like him so much too.  I have exhibited him often in group exhibitions, and I was pleased to see that the admirers of his work were as enthusiastic as I was.

Still Life with Fruit Bowl

Unfortunately Carlo never made it to the gallery.  I would visit him at his home in the east end of Glasgow and be allowed to chose four paintings, perhaps only two, of the array in front of me.  He would smile a little at this, knowing I found it hard to choose.  

San Gimignano

The exhibition promises to be a dramatic array of works spanning  Carlo's seventy year career.

Carlo as a young man

The memorial exhibition opens on 1 July and the exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue commemorating Carlo's life and work.



Thanks for reading


Natalie