1990s Ugo Di Portanova Art Brut Oil on Canvas Painting

Description

Art Brut or art of the insane oil on canvas paintings by Ugo Di Portanova. Ugo was a multimillionaire oil heir from Italy, grandson to Houston oil tycoon, Hugh Roy Cullen. He was declared legally incapacitated (at least in part) continuously since 1967, and diagnosed with schizophrenia. At one point he was known to be rewriting the Bible.

Painting has rambling writing on the back, some of it illegible and a couple signed Slugonis Di Portanova Opus.

He and his brother Baron Enrico di Portanova are the sons of Lillie Cranz Cullen, daughter of Hugh Roy Cullen. Cullen was a hard-working and savvy Houston-based wildcatter and entrepreneur who became one of the richest men in American by drilling deeper in abandoned fields and striking oil in salt domes and other overlooked corners.

Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Excellent vintage condition

Materials & Techniques:
Oil Paint

Details:
Frame Type: Unframed
Art Subjects: Nude, Figure
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Country of Origin: Unknown

Condition

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Excellent vintage condition

Buyer's Premium

20%

Dimensions

36 x 24 x 1 in

1990s Ugo Di Portanova Art Brut Oil on Canvas Painting

Lot 0122

Estimate $1,400-$2,630

Oct 17, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT

Starting Bid

Secure

$700

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October Art, Prints & Sculpture Edit

Oct 8, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT

New York, NY, United States

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