Lot 306: Julio de Diego (1900 ? 1979) Lithograph 1951

Julio de Diego (1900 ? 1979) was a Spanish-born American artist. Born in Madrid, Spain, at the age of 15 he left home after his domineering father destroyed "every drawing in the house." Shortly thereafter, his art was exhibited for the first time in a show at a casino, where he sold his first painting. During this period, Diego also worked in a Madrid studio that produced scenery for opera productions. He appeared as an extra in the production by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes of Stravinsky's Petrushka, starring Vaslav Nijinsky. He also served as art director for Spain's first four-reel film, in which he also played the villain. While still in his teens, Diego enlisted in the Spanish cavalry. He served with the Spanish forces for two years, including a six-month stint in the Rif War. Diego reported that he was wounded by an enemy saber during the Riff campaign. After the war, Diego cut off contact with his family and traveled to Paris, where he was exposed to the latest in Cubism, Abstraction, and Surrealism. One of his first jobs in the United States was designing scenery in Tampa, Florida for the touring Broadway show "Wild Cat." In 1926, Diego started to focus more on painting, and began to garner awards. It was also in 1926 that Diego moved to Chicago. Diego first exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1929. In this same year he started to participate at the various Annual American Exhibitions, Chicago Artists Exhibitions, and International Water Color Exhibitions. he was married to Gypsy Rose Lee. Offered here is an original lithograph from the rare 1958 "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York. Leading artists on the New York art scene were invited to contribute original lithographs in the form of advertisements for businesses and institutions supporting the Artists Equity Association; these sponsors allowed the artists complete creative freedom of expression. This lithograph was issued in an edition of 2000; the sheet measures approx. 12 x 8-1/2 inches. flush. Condition: top & bottom nicks at the edges.

top & bottom nicks at the edges.