Paris
SIMBARI . . . and the Enchantress - - - PARIS |
Nicola’s ‘love affair’
with Paris
started when we stopped there, for two nights, on our way back to Italy, from London,
after our marriage.
10 years later, he found a superb ‘atelier’ in the heart of Saint Germain . . . it was an artist’s dream! Paris became ‘the other woman’ in our life . . .!
In the early 70’s he
spent a great deal of his time
there, enjoying the Bohemian Life and ‘she’ became one of his favourite
subjects to paint and draw.
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| “St.Germain” Lithograph SIMBARI© |
“Boulevard St.Germain” Lithograph SIMBARI© |
From Nicola’s studio window, he looked
across the rooftops of the
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four flights of steep stairs you opened the door to a marvelous calm and spacious room with a large fire-place . . . the ‘easel’ took centre stage - - - In the streets below there was constant activity . . . “L’Atelier”
Oil on Canvas © SIMBARI |
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.
. . a short walk up Rue Bonaparte brought
you to Boulevard St. Germain . . .
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le
Café “Deux Magots”, the Church of St. Germain-de-Prés, and ‘bohemian’ Paris . . . “Clowns” Quadrium in Silkscreen © SIMBARI |
In front of the famous café, Les Deux Magots, acrobats, clowns and magicians would perform their acts for all to enjoy (and put ‘something in the hat’, of course - -) . . . old and new friends would meet . . . there was an air of expectation, of mystery, of LIVING . . .
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busy
street markets . . . intriguing little ‘boutiques’ . . . the delicious aroma of fresh bread and croissants . . . small crowded bistros . . . |
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“Marche aux Fleurs” Retablo in Silkscreen ©SIMBARI |
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. . . traffic . . . . . . girls on ‘mopeds’ . . . . . . hooting cars . . . detail from etching “Paris – Rue Bonaparte” © SIMBARI |
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| or . . . a leisurely stroll along the Seine |
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“Paris – St.
Germain” Lithograph - Blue Series © SIMBARI |
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How easy it is to understand the charm and allure of this beautiful city . . .
‘She’ has captured the hearts of artists through the ages . . . and so it was with SIMBARI !
Over the following years, Paris was a
Challenger . . .
and
an Inspiration, for the young artist from Italy
. . .
in
so many ways ‘her’ influence has been profound and dramatic.
His famous Circus Collection, based on “Le Cirque Ancien Grüs”, and on the Moscow Circus, in Paris, was ‘electric’ . . . and much acclaimed . .
His
series of “les girls” from “Le Crazy
Horse Saloon” followed, giving him International success . . .
and
a major ‘happening’ in Paris
and New York . .
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“Study
- No. 2” for ‘Le Crazy’ Etching © SIMBARI |
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with his strong colours and ‘abstract’ background, he created a ‘modern’ style all his own . . . often emulated by his contemporaries . . which he took as a compliment ! . . . “Danseuse en Repos” Acrylic on Canvas © SIMBARI |
And yet . . . he never forgot his first loves . . . The Sea . . . The Sun
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and his (now) famous “Simbari
blue” with the Light that somehow seems to shine from within . . . Words seem pointless ! His paintings tell their own ‘stories’ . . . They are the Diaries of The Man . . . The Artist . . . his life in Paris . . . “Paris – Quay Dorsay”Oil on canvas © SIMBARI |
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laughing . . . discussing anything and everything . . watching the ‘world go by’ . . . exchanging ideas . . . “Café a St. Germain-de-Prés” Oil on Canvas © SIMBARI |
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There is an air of “discovery”
walking along the narrow streets
of the Rive Gauche -
Simbari knew them well . . . he walked everywhere ‘discovering’ his subjects . . . “Rue de Seine” Oil on Canvas © SIMBARI |
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During the ‘70s, Jenny and
I moved to Paris . . . we found a beautiful
apartment, near the Eiffel Tower, and she went to the International
School, nearby . . . Nicola preferred to live at his studio ! . . .
Jenny learned to speak fluent French, (which I envied!) and became a
young Parisienne . . .
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Was this Jenny riding her ‘moped’ . . . ?
a ‘must have’ in Paris for all teenage girls ! “Dans le Boulevard” Oil on Canvas © SIMBABI |
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“Every aspect of the world, to the eyes of painter like
Simbari, celebrates the great mystery of
Eye and Spirit, secret and evident
of the Universe becoming Painting.
What characterizes the painting of Simbari is the sumptuous beauty of his colours and texture, which he lays out, almost always, with a palette-knife in quick, vigorous strokes. Reds, greens, blues, yellows, violets and oranges, sing halleluiah to the beauty of the world in large dazzling pools.” |
“La Coupole” Paris Etchings © SIMBARI |
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(excerpt - as written by Raymond Charmet) |
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. . . with each painting on this page I wish I was in PARIS . . . ! Café Flore Oil on Canvas © SIMBARI |
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Elfrida
© 2008
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