PORTRAIT OF TWO CLOWNS BY DIANE VIDITO (1963)

Surprisingly expressive half-length portrait of a pair of circus clowns, portrayed without sentimentality, by Boston artist DIANE VIDITO (b. 1931). Recalling Picasso’s early work in palette and tonality, the overall atmosphere of this compelling work is a calm, fully human melancholy, devoid of bitterness. A gifted artist and draftsman, Vidito’s work was never promoted—perhaps out of deference to her husband artist Donald Roy Purdy’s (1924–2016) career. Unframed oil on Masonite.

DIANE VIDITO (b. 1931) was born in 1931. She married the Post-Impressionist painter and art dealer Donald Roy Purdy. His parents invited the young newlyweds to stay at their cottage outside of New Haven while they were getting started. For seven years, the Purdys ran rooming houses in central New Haven, while they gutted and flipped multi-dwelling housing properties. In each building, a room would be designated as their living quarters, another as a gallery, and Purdy would paint in the basement—leaving 6-7 rooms for tenants. It was a modestly successful scheme; the prolific Purdy managed to paint every night, and Vidito ran the gallery. The couple eventually left the New Haven area for Boston, and Purdy was able to parlay his painting into a lucrative career as an art dealer.

Much of Vidito’s own work takes inspiration from Picasso’s “blue period.” Her fellow artists have frequently noted her lovely use of line and color and the overall quality of her craftsmanship. She was an occasional printmaker.

DETAILS

Artist – DIANE VIDITO

Period/Year – 1963

Origin – USA

Styles/Movements – MODERN; POST IMPRESSIONIST

Media – OIL

Support – MASONITE

Colors – COLORS

Condition – Excellent vintage condition. May show minor signs of previous ownership and use.

Dimensions – 30" H × 24" W × ¼" D