Detail from NQPF0017 by Pietro Antonio Narducci

Pietro Antonio Narducci Art Estate

PIETRO ANTONIO NARDUCCI

1915–1999

The Abstract Expressionist the World Never Got to See

Pietro Antonio "Tony" Narducci

A pioneer of Abstract Expressionism, member of the legendary Cedar Tavern circle, and sole founder of Quintessential Aesthetics, Pietro Antonio "Tony" Narducci spent seven decades creating some of the era's most powerful — and least seen — American art.

His work and archive have been the subject of published scholarship and continuing review, including writings by Peter Hastings Falk and other independent sources.

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Selected Works

Abstract Expressionism

A pioneer of Abstract Expressionism and member of the Cedar Tavern circle

Narducci #354 — Circa 1950 – 1960s, 48 x 67 in., oil on reinforced aluminum foil-faced insulation paper, signed verso.
Narducci #340 — ca. 1955, 107 x 74 in., oil on canvas, signed verso.
Narducci #314— ca. 1950 – 1960, 106 x 52 in., oil on canvas, signed verso.
Narducci #353 — ca. 1950 – 1960, 67 x 48 in., oil on reinforced aluminum foil-faced insulation paper (to be mounted on canvas), signed verso.
Narducci Untitled, #320, ca. 1980s, 53 x 112 in., acrylic on canvas, signed verso
Homage to Franz Kline — Ca. 1950, 59.5 x 70 in., oil on canvas.

Quintessential Aesthetics

At 70, Narducci found Abstract Expressionism still too deliberate. His answer: Quintessential Aesthetics. His working materials chosen to dry fast, forcing intuitive, un-editable commitment.

Narducci #241 — Quintessential Aesthetics Series, ca. 1990, 83 x 118 in., acrylic, India ink, ammonia, rainwater on canvas, signed verso.
Narducci #323 — In Fieri, Non In Facto, from the Quintessential Aesthetics Series, 1996, 83 x 125 in., acrylic, ammonia, rainwater, India ink on canvas, signed verso.
Untitled, #311 — 1996, 82 x 116 in., acrylic on canvas, signed verso.
Street Walker, #310 — 1997, 83 x 118 in., acrylic on canvas, signed verso.
Annunciation II, #322 — 1995, 82 x 118 in., acrylic on canvas, signed lower right.
NQPP0212 — Quintessential Aesthetics Series
NQPP0469 — Quintessential Aesthetics Series

Scholarship, Exhibitions & Published Articles

Four independent corroborating voices

Peter Hastings Falk: Art historian and appraiser; author of Who Was Who in American Art. Published scholarly essay, 2018.

Kenworth W. Moffett: Former curator of contemporary art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; wrote unpublished letter of support to the Judith Rothchild Foundation on Narducci's late paintings, 2000.

Adrian Dannatt: British art critic; wrote Narducci's obituary for The Independent, published in London, 1999.

Lisa Strazza: Former student in Narducci's studio; published first-hand account of his Cedar Tavern years and working method, corroborated in writing by Toni Narducci, 2009.

Exhibition History

From Provincial Status to International Prominence: American Art of the 1950s.

Hollis Taggart, New York - April 2023. Group survey of the New York School's formative decade, with published catalogue.

Narducci.

Kate Oh Gallery, New York - September 2021. First New York solo survey: 24 paintings and works on paper spanning the 1950s-1980s. Curated by Inhee Iris Moon; reviewed in AEQAI, October 2021.

Published Articles

  1. 1.

    Falk, Peter Hastings. "The Hidden Abstract Expressionist." Discoveries in American Art, 2018.

    https://discoveriesinamericanart.com/news/essay/pietro-antonio-narducci-hidden-master-of-abstract-expressionism/

  2. 2.

    Dannatt, Adrian. "Obituary: Antonio Narducci." The Independent (London), 28 April 1999.

    https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/obituary-antonio-narducci-1090067.html

  3. 3.

    Strazza, Lisa. "Abstract Expressionism and the "Cedar Bar."" Decorating With Paintings and Photography, 2009.

    https://paintingsandphotography.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/abstract-expressionism-and-the-cedar-bar/

  4. 4.

    Narducci, Antoinette, and Marsh, Alexandra. The Hidden Master Painter - The Daughters' Perspective. Essay and chronology, 2004-12.

    http://www.narducciart.com/

Narducci at work in his studio, Denville, NJ
Narducci at work in his studio, Denville, NJ