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Ralph Fasanella Marcatonio for Mayor

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Fasanella (1914-1997). Oil on canvas. 71.5"w x 51.5"h. Provenance: Purchased from ACA Gallery in New York. The ACA Gallery, who represented the estate, just had a show of Fasanella's work in January. This piece is illustrated in Patrick Wilson's book, Fasanella's City. Est. $50,000-60,000. Buyer arranges for shipping through the UPS Store. On October 30, 1972, Fasanella appeared on the cover of New York magazine. The cover depicted him wearing a work shirt and standing in his tiny studio. Accompanying the photo was the headline: “This man pumps gas in the Bronx for a living. He may also be the best primitive painter since Grandma Moses.” The New York magazine cover catapulted Fasanella to national fame. Fasanella’s art began to sell. He appeared on The Dick Cavett Show and CBS News Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt. Major works have been on display in the U.S. Congress for 15 years, in the 53rd Street Subway Station and in the Great Hall at Ellis Island.

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