Amerigo TOT!
Nicola's Art Mentor
A major
influence in the life of Simbari,
during the 'Early Years' ...
When I first married Nicola , Tot
was ever-present . . . he was a
“.. larger than Life ..” presence at every party or gathering we ever
had - -
- when Tot was in Rome. . . He was
mysterious and charming ! . . . and the girls seemed to ‘love’ him !!
WHAT a
life he had lived !!
I was fascinated by his stories of his adventures.
After Nicola bought his ‘dream house’ in Grottaferrata, Tot, offered to him, one of his amazing sculptures - - - Nicola was thrilled ! and when it arrived it was given a “hallowed” place, outside his beloved Studio . . .
Nicola said this TOT sculpture . . . inspired him every time he went into his studio !
Later . . he set his own metal sculpture beside Tot’s work as a ‘homage’ to his “mentor” - - -
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Close up detail ( in black and white ) of TOT's sculptures Detail of Sculpture by Amerigo TOT |
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After the pool area was built, Amerigo offered to Nicola, two fabalous
new sculptures . . . That he suggest would be "perfect" by
the pool.
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[ these photos were printed in articles published in “Palm Beach Life”. Feb. 1974 and “Vogue Decoration” of Conde Nast Publications (1983) ] |
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- - - a close-up of
one of the large TOT sculptures placed by our pool . . . with the reflection in the water!  Detail of the pool area with a Sculpture by TOT |
I have a favourite memory of TOT, in my life - - - he gave me the most beautiful piece of jewellery, for one of my birthdays !!
He told me that it was an antique Hungarian broach/pendant . . .and . . whenever I wear it, I am reminded of him and his generosity . . . . he was “bigger than Life” !!!
In the 70s Nicola was having an exhibition in New York, when who should turn up !! . . . but TOT. But this time he was an "actor" , and playing a part in The God Father II ! ! ! ! ! ! So the two old friends spent many hours over glasses of wine at the Four Seasons restaurant in the GM building. - - -
Imagine my
surprise . . . and joy,
When Peter Nemes
contacted Simbari
Diaries !!. . .
His superb
website [
http://english.amerigotot.hu/ ] is all about TOT . . . to my
excitement, Peter Nemes sent me
three pictures of the Tot sculptures, that used to be in the grounds of
our Villa in Rome . . . Not “lost” . . .
but in Hungary . . . and at the
special ‘museum’ dedicated to this inspiring
International Hungarian Artist of the 20th Century.
Amerigo TOT Sculptures, photos provided by Peter Nemes |
Thank you Amerigo . . . for your friendship.
© Elfrida 2011
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