Franco Matticchio - trainy day

Cats with a View

Matteo Pericoli

Wherever they may be, they sure like to be on top of things.

Ronald Searle

Gahan Wilson

Rilla Alexander

Andy Warhol

Wayne Thiebaud

Józef Wilkon

Lu Green

Princesse Camcam

Sempé

Wanda Gag, 1930

Michael Sowa

Klaus Ensikat

Franco Matticchio

Life Studies

This year it seems to me that time is flying faster than usual; March is already here

and I am left wondering where February has gone... Unfortunately, this also means 

that I won't have the time to visit the beautiful exhibition of Felice Tosalli which ends 

next week at the Galleria dell'Incisione in Brescia. One more reason to thank

 the gallery's owner and curator Chiara Padova for sending me the catalogue 

and these pics to enjoy and share with you!

The talented Italian artist Felice Tosalli (1883-1958) was among the many artists 

who turned their interest to animal themes during the late 19th and early 20th century.

He was born in Valsesia, an Alpine valley that was also the birthplace of my paternal grandfather, 

and learned to master his father's woodworking craft as an apprentice in his workshop.

After completing his studies in Turin, in 1903 Tosalli moved to Paris and found employment

 in a wood restoration shop. In Paris he often visited the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes 

to observe and sketch the captive animals. His precise and careful study of animal bodies and gestures

is obviously the source of the elegant drawings and preparatory sketches on show at the gallery,

and of the wonderfully lifelike poses of his sculptures.

In 1907 Tosalli went back to Turin, where he worked as a movie poster artist 

and as a lithographer and illustrator at Fratelli Doyen. He also began to participate 

in art exhibitions and receive commissions, mostly in the field of wooden sculpture. 

In the late 1920's Tosalli began to produce a series of limited edition animal figurines

in ceramic for the famous Italian company Lenci, and later for Rosenthal and C. 

These small works are still much appreciated by collectors for their refinement, 

attention to detail, and ability to capture the spontaneous beauty of animal life.

Penguin Parade

Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, KÔ et KÔ, 1933

After these long quiet weeks, expect to see lots more picture-based posts during the holidays,
as I plan to upload a good number of themed image galleries that have been sitting in my hard drive
 too long. Let's start with some of my (and apparently everyone's) favorite birds! 

Marjorie Flack, Willy Nilly,1945

G.Snegirev, About the Penguins

Dale Maxey, The Wild and Woolly Animal Book, 1961

Leonard Weisgard, Penguin's Way, 1962

Charley Harper

Jacques Hnizdovsky, 1972

Krystyna Wojciechowska, Gdyby…, 1975, via 50 Watts

Dick Bruna

Mario Mariotti

Svjetlan Junakovic, Bienvenue Chez Nous

Sandra Dieckmann

Alexis Marcou

Sarah Maycock

Mook

Yusuke Yonezu

Yoto Imoko

Diana Sudyka, Island of Adelies

Painting and sculpture by Guido Pigni

Joëlle Jolivet

In the mood for more? Just follow the link...

Franco Matticchio

Good news for all the fans of Franco Matticchio: his new Facebook page will allow you

to enjoy many more of his works and keep up with his latest news! 

If you use Facebook, I also invite you to like the Animalarium page, which offers a rich variety

 of images and links, updated daily. For me it's a great way to easily share interesting art, books

 and news which due to time constraints would be impossible to feature in this blog.

Hope to see you there!

Franco Matticchio

Franco Matticchio - Travelling Mermaid

Franco Matticchio - Kit & Kattic Cocktail Party