Hugo Zacchini (Florida/California, 1898 -1975) 12" x 10 1/2" painting of clown at the circus with dancing horses. Signed, "Hugo Zacchini," lower right. Hugo Zacchini was born in Peru, October 20, 1898. He was the first "Human Cannonball." Hugo always considered himself and artist first and a projectile second. When he was nine years old, he went to Italy and studied at the Rome Art Academy, where he had the privilege to study undr Francesco Michetti. He lived for a time in France, where he frequented artistic circles and became a friend of Picasso, Dali and the elder Monet. His father, Ildebrando Zacchini, was a noted portraitist and invented the compressed air cannon used to propel humans in circus acts. Hugo returned to Peru and joined the circus to help his family, becomming a human cannonball. He joined Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus where he became "Cannon Man" for the next ten years. Besides studying at the Rome Art Academy, he held two engineering degrees from the University of Florida, graduated Jamestown Academy in New York, where he received a Master's in art. He worked with many mediums including tempera, pastels, oils and charcoal. Zacchini is best known for his circus paintings, clowns, circus life, nocturnal scenes, and landscapes, was a brilliant colorist, and his works have a vibrant and controlled energy. He was an artist, daredevil, sculptor, taught at Chaffey College, and an was an interpreter to many as eleven languages. He died on his birthday, October 20, 1975, in San Bernadino, California. Provenance: From an estate in which was originally purchased for his collection directly from the artist.

Good condition.