Page 15 - TOP 10 CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS - Volume 5

Gainsborough portrait I’d bought at auction. I commented friends who balked at the enormous project, quoting
‘why would a great artist take all the time it would take weeks or months for completion. My friend approached
to paint such a small picture?’ Paul said ‘Gainsborough Paul on Saturday while having dinner at my home, about
was a good artist it probably took him only 30 minutes.’ doing the job. He said he would fit it in the following week,

When I questioned that, he said “give me the painting, because it looked like an interesting challenge, and would
I’ll make you a copy.” have it delivered on Thursday. On Thursday morning

(Paul seldom misses deadlines) we had the unveiling.
We were having dinner at the Ygartua’s the next night. I Seventeen horses and riders coming right at you.
fully expected Paul to beg off the project. After all, I had
never seen him paint in anything like the Gainsborough Every hoof, torso, leg and arm perfectly foreshortened. A
style. When we arrived he presented me with a copy, tour de force. I’ve heard whole essays have been written
varnished and aged to look like the original. I asked ‘how about Rembrandt’s foreshortening of the watch captains

long did it take?’ Joanne said ‘about half an hour.’ Paul outstretched arm in the “Night Watch”. One day, essays
corrected her, saying it was more like 2 hours, because may be written about Ygartua’s “Scots Greys”.
he had to fashion a one bristle brush, age the painting,

and apply varnish. I put the painting in a frame the next I’ve often compared the experience of watching Paul
day and took it back to the auction house to show them work, and discussing it with him while he works, to being
the copy. Before I could explain, the manager asked in Hemmingway’s studio or at Beethoven’s piano while
why I had changed the 18th century frame. Paul can do they composed, freely asking questions about each line
anything. and the creative process. It is a rare occurrence to find

an artist/creator of Paul’s caliber, with whom you can
A greater example of his talent was when a mutual friend, do that. Knowing Paul Ygartua has been one of the most
who is a collector of Napoleonic memorabilia, wanted a fascinating experiences of my life. I hope this book will

3’x 6’ painting of the Scots Greys charge at Waterloo (a allow more art lovers to know one of the great masters
la Elizabeth Butler). I showed the concept to a few artist of today.
Michael Silverbrooke, Collector

THE GATHERING, 2020 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 48X96 IN. | 121X243 CM.

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