REMO FARRUGGIO Blue Machine ca. 1949, Original oil painting on masonite. Signed. Titled.

This is mid century modern oil painting entitled "The Blue Machine", by the renowned Italian born American abstract artist Remo Farruggio. Done on masonite, the painting is in excellent condition for its age. Although it is undated, it resembles similar works executed in a geometric style, in a loose series, by the artist in New York in 1945. It's a great little picture, and the only thing it needs is a nice frame. Remo Farruggio was born in 1904 in Palermo, Sicily. He attended the Galilei Galilec private school in Italy until age 12, at which time, he and his family emigrated to the United States. After settling in New York City, he attended public school and later enrolled in evening classes at the National Academy of Design. In 1922, the artist also attended classes at the Educational Alliance, where he met other prominent artists of the day, including Robert Motherwell, Chaim Gross and the Soyer brothers. Farruggio then attended the Beaux Arts School and the Industrial Arts School, where he studied under the painter Abraham Bogdanov. In 1924, the artist became an American citizen and set out to explore the United States. At the turn of the century, the Great Depression set in, and the government initiated the Works Progress Administration and the Artists Project. Farruggio took part in them both and was ultimately selected as one of two artists chosen for a solo show, which took place in 1939, at the Julien Levy Gallery in NYC. In the years to follow, Farruggio traveled extensively throughout Mexico, the United States and Italy, where he was highly respected and exhibited his work frequently. Beginning in 1964, the artist spent his summers in Provincetown, MA, home to an artist's community where he developed many important relationships in the art world. From the late 1930's to 1981, the artist painted, had several teaching posts and was honored with no less than 20 one-man shows and 25 group shows, winning several important awards along the way. Farruggio's style ranged from representational to semi-abstract to surreal to non-objective. Some of his subject matter included dark, nocturnal, abstracted landscapes or sunlit, atmospheric scenes. Viewing his works, one gets the sense that the artist painted with modesty, grace, elegance and control. Farruggio was a member of the Artists Equity Association of NY, the National Academy of Design and the Provincetown Art Association. His works are included in the permanent collections of more than a dozen museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and the National Museum of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution, as well as numerous private collections in the US and abroad.

SIGNATURE

Signed on the recto (front) and titled on the verso.

PROVENANCE

Acquired from the Estate of Remo Farruggio