The Life and Artistic Journey of Rico Lebrun
Born in Naples, Italy, Rico Lebrun was a multifaceted artist whose career spanned various disciplines, including work as a painter, sculptor, draftsperson, illustrator, watercolorist, graphic artist, and commercial artist. His formal training began at the Naples Academy of Fine Arts, followed by studies in Florence as a muralist and practical training at a stained-glass factory. After serving in the Italian Army during World War 1 and studying banking and journalism, he moved to the United States in 1924, working in Pittsburgh and New York. His journey eventually led him to California in 1936, where he became a prominent figure in the art community, exhibiting his work in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
Teaching and Artistic Legacy
Lebrun was a dedicated educator who held various teaching positions, including at the Chouinard Art Institute and the Jepson Art Institute in Los Angeles. Notably, he presided over art drawing classes at Disney during the production of Bambi and served as a visiting lecturer at Yale University. His academic influence extended to UCLA, Tulane University, and the Art Students' League of New York. His artistic output included a significant series of paintings on "The Crucifixion" and works reflecting the experiences of the concentration camps at Buchenwald and Dachau. His legacy is preserved in prestigious institutions, such as:
