Louis TOFFOLI (1907-1999), A la lumière de la lampe (By the light of the lamp), 1990

Color lithograph, framed 80 x 60 cm, numbered (2/150) and signed in pencil by the author.
Edition of 125 copies plus 10 author's copies.
References: Catalogue Raisonne no.310, p.205.
Louis TOFFOLI - French painter of Italian origin, was born in Trieste, Italy. He began his studies at the Trieste Naval School in 1924, but personal problems forced him to drop out. He worked as a blacksmith, later as a tailor and attended evening classes at the Trieste Academy of Fine Arts. At the 1928 Trieste Biennale, he presented two paintings in the Constructivist style. Fascist propagandists took a keen interest in his unique vision.
In 1930 Louis Toffoli fled the Mussolini regime and emigrated to Paris. He lived in the rue Myrha in the heart of the Goutte d'Or district, without papers or money. Sylvia, his future wife, soon joined him. Denis Kalman, a well-known tailor in the Faubourg Saint Honoré, hired him, and his talent for making models was soon recognized. He obtained a craftsman's card and taught the art of cutting at the chamber of the garment union. Numerous commissions allowed him to settle in Alfortville in 1934 and in Charenton-le-Pont. He worked as a freelancer for Parisian fashion houses while taking drawing classes and trying his hand at poster technique. Day after day he patiently refined his style, refusing to work in advertising.
Starting in 1935, he exhibited at leading Parisian salons: Salon d'Automne, Salon des Indépendants, Salon des Peintres Témoins de leur Temps. In 1947, Luigi Toffoli took French citizenship and became Louis Toffoli. In the 1950s, he learned lithography and devoted his artistry entirely to this noble technique. Louis Toffoli's painterly expression is characterized by a convincing observation of human posture, picturesque scenes or man-made landscapes. His individual painting style is recognized all over the world. He has exhibited in many countries, and his graphic works are in many museum collections.
The Toffoli Museum was opened in 1995 in Charenton-le-Pont, where he lived. His works have been part of the permanent collection of the Estades Gallery since 1990. They have been exhibited at four Gallery Estades locations: in Paris, Lyon, Toulon and Baden-Baden.
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