In September of 2011, I wrote a
post about Giovanni de Simone. In writing the post, I had consulted several sources, all of which had similar information about his life and work.
Two days ago, I noticed a comment on the post that was signed "his wife Eliana de Simone." The writer of the comment stated that much of the information from those initial sources was incorrect. She said that Giovanni de Simone was never a student of Pablo Picasso and that the factory closed in 1992, one year after de Simone's death, not 15 years later. She pointed out that the factory at that time employed more than 100 people. She went on to explain that none of the designers employed by the factory achieved the same level of proficiency as did de Simone and his daughters, so they could not sign their sketches.
I emailed Susanna de Simone, daughter of Giovanni and Eliana de Simone, for additional verification of the facts in the comment, and I received an email yesterday from Massimo Allegra at her studio, confirming that "the information of Eliana de Simone is exact."
I am always honored and thrilled to hear directly from family members who can share information about famous artists or designers that might otherwise be lost...or distorted by the repeated passing on of misinformation on the web. I am indebted to both Eliana de Simone and the studio of Susanna de Simone for setting the record straight and offering us an insight into Giovanni de Simone that we might never have had otherwise.
For more information, go to the
Giovanni de Simone blog.
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| giovannidesimone.blogspot.it |
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| giovannidesimone.blogspot.it |
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| giovannidesimone.blogspot.it |
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| giovannidesimone.blogspot.it |
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| giovannidesimone.blogspot.it |
How amazing! I love that!
ReplyDeleteIt totally thrills me to hear from the family of great designers and artists I revere. I've corresponded with Ralph Rapson's grandson Ian, Paul Laszlo's son Peter, Tony Paul's granddaughter Lori and others. I'm always deeply honored that they read my blog or chose to contact me.
DeleteI learned something new (again), I've never heard of this artist. Very interesting aesthetic sense, like a blend of Picasso and Marc Chagall. I like fish designs, the first plate is magical to me.
ReplyDeleteAll of de Simone's work is magical to me. I wish I had a whole wall full of it!
Delete*Wow* That is very neat!!
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing art too!
I know...Isn't it cool? Hearing from his wife AND his art!!! ::big smile::
DeleteIt never ceases to amaze me who we reach at times with our particular postings. So many great resources and people willing to help or set the record straight...Thanks for the follow up.
ReplyDeleteYes, it always amazes me too that family members are reading our posts and will take time to contact us! I value their input so much. We are always at risk of playing the web version of the kids' game "Pass It On," where the story is so distorted by the time it reaches the end of the line that no one recognizes it...except that on the web, you never reach the end of the line. Incorrect info keeps going and going and going. It's nice to be able to stop that occasionally.
Deletehis work is amazing! i especially love that vase in the second pic. it's so great that the family responded to your post. it's moments like these that make history lovers jump for joy!
ReplyDeleteI think his work is stunning, and I was thrilled to have heard from his family.
DeleteThat is great - thanks for the updated information. I found a really neat de Simone vase the other day at an antique shop. It was a little more than I wanted to spend so I didn't pull the trigger, but I keep thinking about it so I might have to go back! I did pick up an Italy vase in a similar style last week at an estate sale. I still need to research the maker of that one.
ReplyDeleteI keep looking for a reasonably priced piece. I won't be happy till I own one.
DeleteDana, many thanks for leaving the comment that took me here. I'm glad that we can stop misinforming and I am glad to learn more about this great artist. I went to Sicily last summer and visited one of the De Simone stores, I bought a plate from the new editions made by his daughters, they are as beautiful as their father's work. I also loved the link to his blog, very interesting biography, so beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteI thought the blog was beautiful too. You could tell how much his family loves him and keeps his memory alive.
DeleteHello! I found your blog when searching for information about DeSimone because I have a very small drawing that is signed by him with '72 and have always wondered who the artist was and if it has any value. It's framed in a beautiful gold frame and just 5"x5". The drawing itself is just 3"x3". I bought it at a consignment store in Des Moines, IA about 6 years ago. Any help would be wonderful. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteAbby Charlton
abbycharlton@hotmail.com
buon giorno dana alla ricerca di giovanni desimone o trovato il suo blog sono in posesso di un trittico in basso rilievo
ReplyDeletemolto bello estato in cantina più di 50 anni penso che non la visto nessuno se le fa piacere le inviero una foto
buona giornatapurtroppo in svizzera non e conosciuto
Il tuo trittico è bello. Siete molto fortunati ad aver trovato in cantina dopo tutti quegli anni. Deve avere un posto speciale nella vostra casa.
Deletebuonasera si molto mi piacerebbe avere una valutazione ma non da vendere
Deletepesa 24kg lungo 94 alto65
Il nostro negozio si occupa di mobili, piuttosto che l'art. Vi suggerisco di consultare un mercante d'arte nella tua città per una valutazione accurata. Siamo a Dallas, Texas, USA, e anche se ho indovinato ad un valore, esso sarebbe basato su quello che io penso che sarebbe vendere nella mia zona.
Deletela ringrazzio tantissimo mi a fatto molto piacere di aver conversato con lei
ReplyDeleteio abito a lugano (ch) svizzera
avevo scritto alla figlia desimone a palermo siciglia ma non lo aveva mai visto
Hai parlato con Susanna, la figlia di Giovanni de Simone? Deve essere un pezzo molto raro e presto se lei non ha mai visto.
DeleteI have a plate purchased by my parents when they visited Italy. Since only Giovanni numbered the works, does it make the others any less valuable. My plate is not numbered but signed and I have seen such varied prices online, how do you judge the value. Thank you.
ReplyDelete