Verona, goodbye to Martino De Conti: the painter who paid with his paintings
Everyone in the village, in Legnago in the Vernonese area, knew him. In every house there was at least one of the many paintings by him. Persico Martino De Conti, el pitr, as he had been renamed in Veronese dialect, painted not for money but for passion. He was a bohemian artist, without him and without his art Legnago will be poorer.
He was our artist
He rarely sold his canvases, most of the time he gave them away in exchange for small favours, because Martino lives for a short time: he didn’t have a car and so he gave his painting to whoever gave him a lift, he went to the bar and gave his painting as a gift to whoever offered him a coffee or a drink. In the village there are those who have received a canvas from him as a gift on the occasion of their own marriage, or to console the son who had lost his beloved kitten. Martino was our painter, our artist, it will be impossible to fill the absence of him: this is how his fellow villagers remember him, to whom the news of his sudden disappearance reached yesterday morning bouncing rapidly from house to house. El Pitr he passed away at 61 and the last farewell will be given to him on Saturday at 9.30 in the church of Porto di Legnago, where he lived.
The memory is not lost
His memory must not be lost: for this reason, a Facebook page was created in the past few hours which immediately became a virtual art gallery with De Conti’s works. Is called Martin’s paintings and his many friends and admirers, in addition to the messages of condolence, are publishing the images of the paintings given to each of them by the artist. Each canvas associated with a story, each painting is linked to a particular memory, such as that of the writer: This painting was donated by Martino to my son because drove him home. Again: This Jesus Christ of yours, one of your favorite subjects, with dedication and year was drawn by you on a towel from the “dei nani” bar, via Matteotti. Anna: I had a family member do everything to get this work of yours, I fell in love with your art at an exhibition in Legnago many years ago. Elena: I placed this painting of yours in the center of the room of all the houses I’ve lived in.. I love it because it’s full of light. Thank you Martino and Faghene always!!. Simone: This painting was given to Isabella’s mother when she worked at Renato’s. Done in pencil and oil, I think it’s time to hang it. Gianfranco: Who hasn’t known Martino De Conti, painter of modern art? Before the pandemic, you often met him in the streets of Legnago with his paintings under his arm, he painted at night.
The permanent exhibition
Another post: Legnago will remain your permanent exhibition for a long time, how many of your paintings are lovingly preserved in bars, shops, offices… Let’s visit this exhibition! Let’s get one hand to trace the paintings of Martino and we re-admire his art. An infinite number of works and memories, a thought that everyone agrees: Now from up there you will be able to portray those angels that you liked so much… .
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January 5, 2023 (change January 5, 2023 | 12:18 pm)
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