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Sylvia Spicuzza
"Woman in Dress & Fancy Hat" original crayon drawing by Sylvia Spicuzza

ca. 1940s - 1950s

About the Item

In this drawing, Sylvia Spicuzza takes influence from the Fauvist works of Henri Matisse, especially his famous 1904 composition "Luxe, calme et volupté." This influence is more pronounced in other drawings from the same sketchbook (see 10886g) where she composes a combination of clothed and nude women, but here we nonetheless see a figure on the same beach-side landscape. The vibrant use of color and playful line is also derived from the coloration of the Fauve painters, using these for expressive purposes rather than to create a naturalistic image. The costume of the elegant woman in this drawing could be compared to Matisse's 1905 'La femme au chapeau,' now at the SFMoMA, but it also has the flair of mid-century Broadway musicals such as "Hello, Dolly!". By borrowing elements from art history and popular culture, we can see the education and creativity of Spicuzza and thus how effective she must have been as an art educator. 6 x 3.5 inches, artwork 13.75 x 11.25 inches, frame Stamped with artist's signature, lower right Born in 1908, Sylvia Spicuzza was the daughter of noted painter Francesco Spicuzza. Sylvia devoted herself to teaching art to the students of Lake Bluff Elementary School in Shorewood, WI. During this time Sylvia produced a magnificent body of work that was undiscovered until her death. Sylvia's work is rich, diverse and fascinating collection of drawings, watercolors and prints from the 1920's to the 1990's. Her style ranges from early figurative drawings to regionalism, Art Deco, lyrical abstractions of every conceivable subject (both real and imagined), as well as figurative paintings that reflect the work of Picasso, Kandinsky and Max Ernst in the 1930's and 1940's. Biomorphic and organic, Modernist images are presented with Sylvia Spicuzza's own unique sense of style, humor and fantasy.
  • Creator:
    Sylvia Spicuzza (American)
  • Creation Year:
    ca. 1940s - 1950s
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.75 in (34.93 cm)Width: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 10890g1stDibs: LU60535879622
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