Comments on: Socialist-Expressionist: Peter de Francia (1921-2012)

By: Alix MacSweeney

Alix MacSweeney — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 19:46:51 +0000

In reply to Elisa Jensen. Just seen Merlin´s tribute and your comment. You must have missed his drawing show at the NYSS in 2008, Modern Myths. There is a catalogue. But MOMA has two drawings of Peter´s, which can be seen on request.

By: Douglas Kirk

Douglas Kirk — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:53:51 +0000

This article brought back memories of Peter de Francia from my years at the RCA in the early 70s. He took over from Carel Weight as Professor of Painting while I was studying there.

There was a sense that he was injecting some intellectual rigor to the scale, which was welcomed by some students and resented by others. I can still hear the tone of his voice in the discussions that took place. He would often listen to argument with his eyes shut, hand gripping the pipe clamped in his mouth. He had the courage to draw at times during these discussions and I was able to see the fluency with which his images were created. The paraphrasing of Picasso and Beckmann was clear, but given his own unique artistic expression. It made me eager to see more of his work and that interest continues to this day.

By: Elisa Jensen

Elisa Jensen — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:03:07 +0000

Thanks, Merlin, for that wonderful tribute to Peter de Francia. He was such interesting artist and man, and so very charming! I met him at the Studio School many years ago when he came over to teach a drawing marathon, and I enjoyed talking to him so much. I became a big fan of his work then, and still am. Would love to see some of his work here in New York.

By: CAP

CAP — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:02:14 +0000

Great recollection and generous tribute, never met the guy, never wanted to.

Although I do remember his association with Kitaj’s supposed ‘London School’ – a grouping that seemed fairly reactionary or backward looking, apart from Kitaj, They all seemed to be hostage to the 50s art fashions. And Merlin’s own art interests here prove surprising and informative.

Bravo.