Saluto a tutti!

Here’s our capsule annual “Society Report to Members,” recapping a busy 2021.

WEBSITE

We originally intended to publish a paperback Guidebook to Montici mosaics, but quickly pivoted to a website instead, due to its ability to update information on the fly; use videos; and interact 24/7/365 with Society members worldwide.

The Society launched its public website in January 2021, and it immediately attracted a global following of Montici art lovers. In its inaugural year, we hosted over 2,700 visitors from 35 U.S. states, and 23 foreign countries. We also recorded over 6,600 page views.

We expected visitors from North America and Europe, and they understandably led this online, international parade –the top six countries in terms of visitors in 2021 included the U.S, Canada, Italy, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, in that order. But to our surprise, we also attracted visitors from Asia and Africa, including China, Taiwan, Australia; Russia and the Ukraine; Turkey and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East; and Uganda and the Cameroon in Africa.

Richard Blow exported and sold most of his Florentine mosaic artworks to the United States, but Italians also collected his works. We were pleased to host site visitors from 17 different Italian cities in 2021, led by Ancona, Roma, and Firenze.

Within the U.S, the click brigade was led by Montici appassionati from Texas, Ohio, Virginia, New York, Connecticut, and California, in that order.

*Richard Blow, 1971. MSID “Occult Images”*

CATALOGUED ARTWORKS

Our database of catalogued Richard Blow art has grown to 336 artworks

NOTABLE CORRESPONDENCE

We received several interesting research requests this past year: In June 2021, the Society received an inquiry from Sig. Giuseppe Addesso, an Art Historian in Milan doing research on the famous traveling exhibit “Italy at Work: Her Renaissance in Design Today,” that launched the iconic 1950-1951 “Made in Italy” branding movement. Richard Blow showcased his new Montici mosaics in this exhibit, alongside Salvatore Ferragamo and Guccio Gucci. Addesso is also exploring the possibility of doing his Ph.D. thesis on Richard Blow and his Montici mosaics. In November 2021, we receive an inquiry from Mitchell Owens, former decorative arts editor at Architectural Digest. and currently a freelance writer, editor and design consultant who co-hosts style-related cultural tours internationally with the members-only luxury travel company Indagare. He is researching a biography of Pauline, Baroness de Rothschild, an American fashion designer who married Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of the fabled French winery Château Mouton Rothschild. His research had turned up another American linked to the Baroness’ life – French Countess Reine de Roussy de Sales (nee Reine Tracy in New York City). The Countess Reine once managed Richard Blow’s Montici Gallery in New York City (See Michael’s Blog, 12.02.21).

In August 2021, the Society welcomed noted arts/antiques dealer Adam Blackman as a new Society member from Los Angeles. “In the annals of creative twosomes, there’s Lennon and McCartney, Watson and Crick, Christo and Jean-Claude. And in the world of high-end collectible design, there’s Blackman and Cruz...(they) have been fixtures of the Los Angeles design scape ever since they opened their gallery-atelier-emporium, Blackman Cruz, in 1993.” (Amanda Fortini, New York Times, Style Magazine, April 2015). As Adam noted in his email to us, “I’ve always loved Montici pieces. plaques, obelisks and boxes. I've been collecting for years. Excited to meet like-minded passionate collectors.”

The Society sends a special thank you to Jeff Greenberg for agreeing to be our Collector Profile #1 (See “Michael’s Blog, 09.14.21).

Last but not least, the Society extends a heartfelt Happy New Year to our Italian friends Bruno Lastrucci and family; and the staff at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence. Grazie mille for your encouragement and invaluable help in making the2021 launch of the Montici Society a success!

Michael Schmicker