Linda DeCurtis

Homepage | Current Exhibit | Contact Us | Location | Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery Monthly

Giovanni Battista de Curtis 1915 - 1978

Giovanni Battista de Curtis was one of seven children born into an Italian family rich in artistic heritage.

Among the family's ancestors were famous musicians and artists, including the famed Italian film comedian, Antonio De Curtis, known as Toto. A pair of his uncles, Ernesto de Curtis and Giambattista de Curtis composed and wrote the lyrics to the famed and familiar song, Turna a Surriento. This popular piece was one of several written by the pair which became recital favorites of Luciano Pavarotti.
(read more & view videos below)

Linda DeCurtis Italian Beach and Boats


	Italian Beach and Boats Oil on panel, 7 x 9 $500

Linda DeCurtis Italian Beach and Boats with Frame

Unlike his brothers and sisters, Giovanni did not attend the Naples Academy of Art, choosing instead to teach himself. His painting evolved into a looser impressionist style with which he had much success. Giovanni never visited the United States. His youngest sister, Linda DeCurtis married a handsome GI named Kennety Eggleston, and eventually came to be a well known American artist living near Lake Tahoe. There she maintained a studio and gallery at Zepher Cove. Linda reports Giovanni made a fine living from his paintings, citing that his work was displayed in several of Naple's better galleries.	This video was produced by Linda DeCurtis' granddaughter and Giovanni's neice, videographer Andrea Eggleston of Soldotna, Alaska. It masterfully documents the de Curtis family's artistic heritage, including a photo of Giovanni Battista de Curtis. Linda DeCurtis states all music in this video was written and performed by DeCurtis family members.
Linda goes on to tell of one of Giovanni's paintings being used for an Italian postage stamp. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, Linda imported some of Giovanni's smaller paintings and sold them through her gallery. Back to the top
Luciano Pavorotti singing Turna a Surriento, London Symphony, Albert Hall