The
Circus . . .
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As a little boy Nicola loved the Circus.
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“Clown Bleu” Le Cirque Collection SIMBARI © |
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In Southern Italy, small troupes of “saltimbanchi” travelled from village to village, bringing entertainment and excitement for all to enjoy. Many of Nicola’s early paintings showed his fascination for the colour they brought, and their mystery . . . would he have joined them? . . . who knows!
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“The Fire-eater” Watercolour SIMBARI © |
We went to every circus, big and small, that came to Rome. . . in New York or Paris !
Then, one year, at Christmas, when we were in Paris, with Jenny our 6-year-old daughter, we visited the Moscow Circus . . . what a spectacle! Nicola told the ticket office that he was an artist . . . and that he was preparing a big exhibition about the circus . . . We were ushered to superb seats on the side of the Ring and allowed to go ‘back-stage’ to meet the artistes afterwards . . . .|
the result - - - some of the most amazing paintings! “High-wire Acrobats” Cirque Collection Acrylic on canvas SIMBARI © |
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Nicola captured the thrill and colour of that wonderful afternoon, when we were guests of “Le Cique du Moscou” . . I often wonder if they ever saw the paintings, when they were shown in Paris or New York ! “Piste des Cheveaux Blancs” Oil on canvas SIMBARI © |
Then there was the Cirque Ancienne Grüs, a “small top” in the centre of Paris . . . enchanting ! xquisite . . . executed in the style of ‘once-upon-a-time’.
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We so loved it, we returned again and again . . . “Le Cirque Ancienne Grüs” Cirque Collection Oil on canvas SIMBARI © |
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Here was the true drama and glamour of the CIRCUS . . . how Nicola enjoyed the Spectacle and the Magic ! Is it any wonder he created a sculpture in bronze and several paintings dedicated to the exquisite elegance of these ACROBATS ? “Acrobats a Cheval” Bronze sculpture SIMBARI © |
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The dancer is poetry in
motion . . . These pages are “diaries” of the LIFE of a passionate man and artist; for him the Circus expressed it all . . . The exhibitions, in Paris and New York, became the Circus . . . as written by Enid Nemy, in the New York Times, in her column . . . . 1977 Dec. 22nd
“Acrobat a Cheval”
Ink sketch SIMBARI© |
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. . . . and the grace of the horses . . . But, Nicola had always been fascinated by Horses . . . . with Racing (flat and trotting), the Roman wine carts, Carabinieri on Parade . . .even the Horse Guards in London. . . “Piste a Cheval” Gouache on paper SIMBARI© |
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« La Famille du Cirque » Acrylic on canvas SIMBARI© A « portrait » of the « Simbaris » Nicola and Jenny enjoying the ‘Theatre’ . . . as did I! Nicola often ‘saw’ himself as a Clown and sometimes the clowns he painted were ‘self-portraits’. . . |
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In this sketch I ‘feel’ the pathos and sadness of the Clown . . . “vesti la giuba” as “Il Pagliaccio” sang . . . (“on with the show”) Is this Nicola? . . . . maybe!
“Clown with mandolin”
Gouache on paper SIMBARI© |
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New York, December 1977 Le Cirque Exhibition - - Nicola and Elfrida with Circus performers at the Gallery. |
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Fireworks blending in the sky Captured by an ardent watcher Muses in poetic light Sharing their secrets of sensual art Silent moments of the past Arrested in prismatic charm Together Splayed upon an endless screen By esoteric means
“La petite Clown”
Acrylic on canvas SIMBARI© |
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“Clown au Saxophone” Bronze sculpture SIMBARI© |
Showing colours in their prime Intertwining in tortuous grace Blues so vivid in their infinite depth Live intimately with pinks Who Blaze shockingly with rich reds And blush timidly with soft creams Yet yellow bursts out With the Sun’s golden warmth Coaxing orange to live on When the sunset is gone And green, in exotic glory, Stands alone Above all, In a world of it’s own. Jennifer Simbari ©
Jenny . . . ’77.
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© Elfrida 2010
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