My fingers know not where to begin touching the keys, I don't know how to begin, for today I must tell you that a friend and an historic figure in the world of Art and Photography, has passed away.
From the Obituary section of Sundays Saint Louis Post Dispatch.
"Salinas, Marcel Charles the painter and one of the leading lithographerof the 20th century died peacefully in St Louis, MO at the age of 96.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt of French parents; he started painting as a child.
Captivated by the masters, he went to Paris to study at the Ecole des
Beaux Arts and was a student of Andre Lhote. Mastering the techniques
of lithography, he acted as both teacher and collaborator with numerous
artists working at the various ateliers in Paris. Pablo Picasso
selected him to create his series of 29 lithographs of the: Portraits
Imaginaires. He also worked with Salvador Dali, Victor Vasserely and
Erte. After delving into the art of photography, Henri Cartier Bresson
referred to Marcel as, My Guru. Residing in many fine collections, this
prolific artist created several thousand works of art including:
paintings, drawings and lithographs."
Born in Alexandria, Egypt of French parents; he started painting as a child.
Captivated by the masters, he went to Paris to study at the Ecole des
Beaux Arts and was a student of Andre Lhote. Mastering the techniques
of lithography, he acted as both teacher and collaborator with numerous
artists working at the various ateliers in Paris. Pablo Picasso
selected him to create his series of 29 lithographs of the: Portraits
Imaginaires. He also worked with Salvador Dali, Victor Vasserely and
Erte. After delving into the art of photography, Henri Cartier Bresson
referred to Marcel as, My Guru. Residing in many fine collections, this
prolific artist created several thousand works of art including:
paintings, drawings and lithographs."
You may remember my postings on a couple of different occasions
regarding Marcel. He was truly my most prized Portrait and it was
such an honor and experience to have been in the right place at the
right time to meet and know this legend. He was not an especially
cheery man, at least not during the time that I came to know him.
But you could tell that he bore the enormous frustration that came
with failing hearing and sight. Here was a man, a mind, that was
full of the past and had little or nothing go forward with over the
next few years. After our session we talked at length about his
background and the fond memories of those that had steered him
and in turn those he had mentored (Henri Cartier Bresson among
them, holy crap). He was still edgy about the politic of his birthplace,
Egypt. What the obituary failed to mention was that before he began
making his mark in the Art community, he was a lawyer and that
part of his mind was still ripe with angst over the history of his
homeland.
regarding Marcel. He was truly my most prized Portrait and it was
such an honor and experience to have been in the right place at the
right time to meet and know this legend. He was not an especially
cheery man, at least not during the time that I came to know him.
But you could tell that he bore the enormous frustration that came
with failing hearing and sight. Here was a man, a mind, that was
full of the past and had little or nothing go forward with over the
next few years. After our session we talked at length about his
background and the fond memories of those that had steered him
and in turn those he had mentored (Henri Cartier Bresson among
them, holy crap). He was still edgy about the politic of his birthplace,
Egypt. What the obituary failed to mention was that before he began
making his mark in the Art community, he was a lawyer and that
part of his mind was still ripe with angst over the history of his
homeland.
The last time I saw him, I took him a promotional piece that I
had created. It was his portrait that truly graced that small tome.
I had the audacity to autograph it and inscribe a brief thanks for
allowing me the privilege of photographing his being. He hadbeenmoved to a place, a home if you would, that would allow for someone
to be around when he needed help. His room was lacking for
anything of family or even any style or amenity that might say,
here lives Marcel Salinas. They shades drawn because the bright
light hurt his eyes. When I handed him the book, he stared hard
so that he could see what images it contained and then he took
his hand, rubbed and caressed it, look me in the eye and said, it
is now the only book I have. I'll put it right here where I can see
it best.
If I were to quit photography today, I would be satisfied
that I had done something, something significant in my career,
something thousands of others cannot say.
Rest in peace my friend.
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