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This portrait is well hung
Annigoni: Portrait of an Artist
Annigoni: Portrait of an Artist takes a look at the life and works of Pietro Annigoni, the famed modern day portraitist. While this chronicle will most certainly be valued by those who are versed in his works, it also serves as a magnificent introduction for the less familiar.
Beginning with his move to Florence, the film explores his early bohemian lifestyle. He became known as the painter of beggars and continued this attachment to the disenchanted for the duration of his life. We are reminded of his compassion for the downtrodden throughout the film as it displays many of his pieces and subjects.
The film also focuses on his distaste for the modern avante garde form of art and his belief in the necessity of the Renaissance influence. Annigoni felt "the work of the avante garde today is the poison fruit of one of the worst spiritual decays... and a tragic loss of love for life." Writer and director Stephen Peter Smith is successful in displaying Annigoni's own love for life and his colorful character as he speaks to a number of his old students and admirers who all refer to Annigoni as The Maestro.
Intermixed with the admirers of young and old, endless pieces of Annigoni's works are shown. If you had no known knowledge of the subject before, it is quickly realized that his work is familiar, as it has spanned many countries and mediums. Several of his portraits have graced the cover of Time magazine and his reputation as a portraitist is worldwide, having painted the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and John F. Kennedy. Smith shows that people went to Annigoni not simply to have a picture of themselves painted, but to be made into a work of art.
Considered far more than a painter, Annigoni is celebrated as an intellectual and a great lover of culture. The deep admiration the filmmaker holds for the artist is evident and is likely to transfer to the audience. While the subject may seem a bit dull initially, the exposure to his exquisite works soon has you wanting to know more about their creator. The musical score contributes much to the film, adding to the haunting imagery of so many of Annigoni's paintings. This look at the life of one of this century's greatest artists is compelling for both the art lover and the novice alike. | Production | Music | Director | Images | Reviews | Biography | Credits | Awards | Misc. | Products | Order Form | Contact Us | Home | |