Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio
Who is Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio? This blog post is about art and teachers and their legacy. Giovanni was student of Leonardo Da Vinci. I was clueless about Giovanni until I came across this picture. He was not in the art history books I had in school or later. They never talked about Leonardo Da Vinci having students. Well he had more than a few. too many to list in this post. However, I like this drawing.
He also painted Portraits
Giovanni got over looked by the typical art history books at Universities. I once gave my sister the name of an artist from the impressionist era. She was not able to find much about him because he was a lessor known artist. However, I had seen his work in Paris in 1968 and was much impressed with his style. Sadly this happens quite often in the art world.
Other over looked artist
When the impressionist became the BIG thing in the 1920’s. Other french artist like William-Adolphe Bouguereau got ignored in the art world and books. I did not find out about him till I was taking a class in 2014! I love his work.
Now Days every one knows Vincent Van Gogh
Then there is Vincent. I had a print of his Sun Flowers in my room as a teenager. Wish I still had it.
He could only give away most of his pictures. Now they are worth millions.
Who and where are the unrecognized artist now?
I wish I knew. Are they at art and craft shows. Are selling prints online? History may decide who will gain favor and who will be discovered a 100 years from now.