This piece, titled El Manion, is by Victor Di Gesu and dates to 1965, reflecting a Abstract style. It is executed in Oil on panel, showcasing the use of materials and technique. The dimensions and framing details are not specified, leaving its scale open to interpretation. The work is signed by the artist. Works in the abstract tradition often emphasize technique and thematic expression, inviting viewers to engage with the subject and context. This summary is generated from catalog records and reviewed for accuracy in attribution, date, and materials. Its style and material qualities reflect the cultural context of the period, demonstrating craftsmanship and thematic depth.
Victor Di Gesu (1914-1988) was an American artist and winner of the Prix Othon Friesz. He attended the Los Angeles Art Center and the Chouinard Art School before moving to Paris, where he studied with Andre L’Hote and Yves Brayer at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. While in Paris, Di Gesu exhibited extensively, including at the Louvre, the Exposition des Artistes Étrangères, the Grand Palais of the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Arts Décoratifs among other Parisian Salons. He subsequently attended Barcelona’s Escuela de Bellas Artes before furthering his studies in Rome at the Studio Hinna. Returning to California, Di Gesu worked beside several notable American Modernists including F. Tolles Chamberlain and Maynard Jepson. Already a gifted colorist, Di Gesu’s classical training combined with his scientific research into color theory allowed him to create vivid yet harmonious works which, while reminiscent of Matisse and Gauguin revealed a verve and spontaneity that remained uniquely his own. A prolific artist, Victor Di Gesu was the recipient of numerous medals and juried awards, both in the United States and in France. After his return to California, he continued to exhibit widely and with success, including at The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Monterey Museum of Art, Carmel Art Association and Los Angelese County Museum of Art.