Pascal Cucaro | San Francisco Mid-Century Artist and People-People Originator

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Trends in Contemporary Art

Celebration 1966

(30x40) Oil on Canvas

People-People
(10x28) Oil on Board

A style with a spirit even more of the zeitgeist today than 50 years ago. Together but distorted. Gathered yet apart.

Mediterranean Villa interior

Strong handed impressionism impasto offering here. Colours pop as you take note of the bird and figure descending. Quite the sight.

Marina impressionism

Sausalito Houseboats 1970

(24x24) Oil on Board

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/04/cleveland-museum-of-art-opens-meditative-mini-tribute-to-monet-with-borrowed-works-from-paris.html

https://pelicanharbourca.com/

Sky is starting to bruise as the gathering commences.

Cucaro was the master of abstract group scenes which the more you look the more you see. Change the angle or your vantage point and see new things.

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/van-gogh-tarascon-lost-2446718

Art by Nature
Sunburst 1967
(10x26) Acrylic on Board

An upbeat group scene with a little drizzle cropping up in concert with the rainbow. Use of glaze makes a few of the reds and greens appear to be stained glass.

Abstract Figuretism.

Cucaro invented and mastered his iconic and truly original 'People-people" genre. Here you see a madhouse of activity with interesting faces and shapes

People-People Shadows 1972
(24x36) Oil on Canvas

Muted offering with subtle blue and red contrast. Shadows of the figures or dressed in dark raincoats? The more you look the more you see.

Primary Colors 1968
(12x24) Oil on Board

Beautiful piece, a strong representation of People-people. The black outline brings out the primary colours quite well.

Abstract Marble Scratch Study

Abstract expressionism meets scratch/linear study overlay upon marbling wash. Various angles yield numerous pleasant surprises.

Asian themed People-People

Lacquered Acrylic on Masonite. Has a Miro quality to it but is all Cucaro. Thick impasto portions give three dimensional feel.

Blissfully unaware of specter lurking.
(36x60) Oil on Canvas

People-People figuretism abstraction using layering, impasto, shading and thick varnish to create depth and lighting detail. Wicked figure hovering above the crowd seems intent on collecting souls.

Marble Core
(12x24) Mixed Media on Masonite

Expressionist example with strong colours and top notch technique. Marbling coupled with a tiger stripe detailing really catches the eye. Freehand Japanese style ink abstractions complete this truly interesting piece and compliments the primal feel.

https://www.apollo-magazine.com/art-market-women-abstract-expressionism/

Volksgarten Vienna 1965
(16x20) Oil on Arist Board

Chaos with purpose. Explosion of colours which confronts the viewer with the dilemma to see this through Expressionist or Impressionist eyes? Some see figures conversing, others much more. A Rorschach test courtesy of Cucaro, do take your time.

https://www.sfmoma.org/artist/Willem_de_Kooning/

Art on parade 1968
(12x12) Oil on Canvas

Strong abstract Impressionist piece here with red, black, grey and just a thread of blue.

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People-People
(18x18) Acrylic on Masonite

Eye-catching example of Cucaro at his zenith. Beautiful shades of orange and red contrasted with various black/white tones.

Market Day 1970
(16x20) Oil on Board

Energetic abstract scene with strong colours and strokes. Can see and feel the energy pulsating from this piece.

Gathered 1969
(20x24) Oil on Canvas

Exciting picture here with built up impasto framed and then detail claimed back from the canvas. A lava-like flow to this offering.

The World at his feet

A lone tuxedo clad man looks out upon the world before him. Coastlines, islands and oceans call to him. Beside him his guide from beyond.

Expressionism on copper

Acrylic abstract on copper plate. Faces, lines and secrets await the viewer. Take some time, heaps to see and discover

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Geometric People-People

Monocromatic study of form & shape of both the human figure as well as the structural creation of said human. Strong colours with layering and accent lines makes this a memorable piece

Bonfire of the Vanities

Incredible image of a sunset bonfire with the silhouettes of the participants. Are they celebrating or is something sinister going on?

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Trends in Contemporary Art

Bright and vibrant acrylic colours leap off the masonite on this piece. Energy to spare with numerous secrets to uncover.

https://www.jackson-pollock.org/

Japantown 1971
(20x24) Oil on Masonite

Classic Cucaro fusion of expressionism and impressionism. Rich colours blend nicely with hints of bleed over and contrast.

Bay area luminary

Pascal Cucaro (1915 to 2004) was an Italian-American painter born in Youngstown, Ohio. After Army service in World War II he studied at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco, then traveled and painted in France, Spain and Italy before settling into the city's North Beach Beat scene. There he invented People-People, his signature genre of abstract crowd scenes, and he later made his home across the Golden Gate in Sausalito. His works are held in private collections and were shown at the Butler Institute of American Art, Stanford University and galleries in San Francisco and abroad.

When you see a Cucaro you know it immediately and remember forever. A Presidential Medal of Freedom Nominee and a San Francisco legend. Rediscover this American artist and his iconic creations