Nuorese Cultural DistrictFrancesco Congiu Pes (b. Nuoro, 13 July 1887–d. Nuoro, 23 February 1961) was an Italian painter.
Francesco Congiu Pes
Description
Born into a humble family, Francesco Giuseppe Garibaldi Congiu Pes abandoned his studies to devote himself to art as a self-taught painter. After fighting in the Great War, he chose to devote himself entirely to painting. Despite his economic difficulties, he continued to paint and gave his work away as gifts or bartered it for food rather than sell it.
Living in Nuoro, Congiu Pes was considered little more than a poor, amateur artist, but his work, while not academic, stands out for its vibrant palette and tranquil landscapes, transmitting the joie de vivre of a man who appreciated every aspect of life.
He painted on improvised supports, like wood or plywood boards and recycled cardboard box covers. His paintings were mostly small oils and watercolours depicting scenes of life in Sardinia, landscapes, buildings and everyday and holiday rituals. He also made portraits of Nuoro’s wise elders and young women dressed in colourful traditional costume.
He shared a passion for drinking with the other regulars at Caffè Tettamanzi, a meeting place for the cheerful people of Nuoro.
Despite his reluctance to show and sell his work, Congiu Pes participated in various exhibitions organised by the Fascist National Union in the 1920s and 30s, even sending a painting, The Broken Boot, to the Rome Quadriennale in 1937.
His popularity diminished, however, and he lived in solitude. A retrospective of his work was organised by the city of Nuoro in 1995. Contemporary artists like Vincenzo Pattusi and Sergio Fronteddu have paid homage to Congiu Pes in their work.