Anthony Visco’s Studio Visit Follow Up

Last month the Gemma Art Foundation visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art as well as the studio of artist and teacher Anthony Visco. The trip was part of a series of talks and lectures promoting Florentine Renaissance art organized by Anna Neis founder of the Gemma Art Foundation in Princeton, NJ.

Below are pictures of the studio visit where Anthony showed us his amazing art work. We also had the chance to talk about his personal experiences of travelling to Florence as a young art student. The work that he saw at that time left a tremendous impression on him. I mentioned to him my three visits to Paris but confessed that I had yet to walk the streets of Florence. Anthony’s response to this was, “France is a good place to study art, but Italy would be my first choice. With France…it’s like their food…they have great sauces, but in Italy…you know exactly what you’re getting.”

Anthony works primarily as a sculptor, creating large scale figurative pieces for various public locations.  During the studio visit, he mentioned how important it is for his art to be housed by churches and cathedrals rather than museums or galleries – allowing people to see his art in a natural setting.  This is also a very important aspect of Florentine culture – the Italians believe that art is as much a part of life as eating or drinking, and should be seen everywhere by everyone, not closed off by the clinical, pristine white walls of a museum gallery. In Florence art is on every street, decorating the beautiful buildings or standing as a monument in a public garden.  It is always within it’s “natural” setting and I believe this, in part is what makes Florence so beautiful. The narrow cobble stone streets and elaborately embellished churches and buildings have an old world quality that appear untouched by the hand of time.

Anthony giving a tour of his Philadelphia studio.

A detail of one of Anthony’s relief sculptures.

Sitting in Anthony’s Philadelphia studio, discussing his art while viewing one of his life-size sculptures (center). Seated left to right (Kelly Jiang, David Rivera, Anthony Visco and Caitlin Petty).

Visit to Anthony Visco’s Studio

The Gemma Art Foundation will be visiting the Philadelphia studio of Anthony Visco on June 27^th.  Anthony Visco is a sculptor, painter and teacher who specializes in sacred art.  I had the pleasure of studying anatomical drawing with him several years ago when he taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.  My experience at that time was that Anthony was someone who was deeply passionate about his art and his craft and someone who inspired respect and likability amongst other artists and students.  His lectures were always well articulated, exploring profound ideals, philosophy and art history, paired with bold gestural line drawings of anatomical forms for his students to copy in their note pads.  This clarity of instruction is rare and his ability to express meaning and sensitivity through his own work is a true testament to his understanding of the human form as well as human emotion.  I would highly recommend to any art student to visit his studio and observe his craftsmanship first hand.  I can’t imagine that the experience wouldn’t enrich their lives in some way.

More recently, Anthony founded the Atelier of the Sacred Arts in Philadelphia.  This building functions as both a school and studio, upholding the age old Renaissance tradition of the student working with and learning his craft from a master artist.  Many mural painting and sculpture commissions are done through the atelier, providing students who study there a very real opportunity to utilize their skills.  This student-working-with-the-master type of apprenticeship was a very common practice during the Renaissance, but is a rare gem to find today. Anthony, who himself studied in Florence at the Accademia delle Belle Arti is part of the Gemma Art Foundation’s Florence Art Symposium designed to educate students on the traditions of Italian Renaissance art. More information on Anthony’s Atelier can be found here.  For information on the Gemma Art Foundation, please check out www.gemmafoundation.org.

Photo of Anthony Visco working in his Philadelphia studio.

Florence Art Symposium

Here are a few photos from the recent lecture on Florentine Renaissance Art presented by David Rivera at the Gemma Arts Foundation in Princeton NJ. This is part of a series of lectures to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art of Florence. Future lectures and dates can be found here.

The Gemma Arts Foundation gives high school students the opportunity to study abroad for ten days and completely immerse themselves in Florentine culture. Part of this trip will include visiting the Florence Academy of Art founded by Daniel Graves, as well as many museums, monuments and architectural structures. Seeing masterful drawings, paintings, sculpture and architecture in their original forms, helps students to develop a more refined understanding of the cultural influences that occurred during the Renaissance.

Slide from Florentine Renaissance Lecture

Slide of Da Vinci’s anatomical study from Florentine Renaissance Lecture

The Gemma Arts Foundation, founded by renowned artist and teacher Anna Neis, also offers classes to children and adults interested in developing portfolios for college, or simply to improve their artistic abilities and knowledge.  For information on workshops, classes or lectures please continue to check this blog as updates will be posted on a weekly basis.  Information can also be found here.