This artist was quite famous during this time in SF. Cannot locate any information on him and have inherited some paintings. They are exceptional. He was known for his clowns and street paintings. Who can I contact that may know something of this talented artist. He was born in 1915 and was a friend of Toby. Thanks.

-- L. Wilson (lwilson@aol.com), February 14, 1998

Answers

I too have a painting and am looking for information on Cucaro. i know he had a gallery show in San Francisco in the 60's as I was in SF then.

-- Eileen m. Connors (econnors@dol.gov), November 17, 1998.

I wish I had more answers on Cucaro, by I too have several paintings that where purchased while in SF. If anyone finds out any info, I would also appreciate response!

-- Craig Mikus (craigmikus@yahoo.com), December 28, 1998.

We have two paintings by Cucaro. Also in our possession is a small brochure about the artist:

Pascal Cucaro by Robert E. Hopkins 1969 Sentinel Art Books, New York, NY (Lithographed by Parish Press, Inc.) Library of Congress Catalog Number 70-97895

Would appreciate any information about marketability of Cucaro's work.

-- Edyth Ann Hutton (eahgrafix@aol.com), December 29, 1998.

We're also looking for info on Cucaro. We've had an interesting oil painting from him in the family for some time now...but have no idea on the estimated value of his work. Is he still living? We'd appreciate any info on this elusive painter...thanks... NBA

-- Nancy A. (Nancy@softcom.net), January 08, 1999.

Apparently born 1915 and still alive? See: http://www.auctions-fl.com/gifs/jun2898/jun2898c.htm

I bought my Cucaros from(the late?) Baroness Jean Cacace; alos sold extensively by Cory Art Gallery.

I'd be glad to get info. about current prices. Thank

-- Paul Frishkoff (pfrish@oregon.uoregon.edu), January 15, 1999.

I retyped this article that was glued to the back of my Cucaro painting. I sure would like to know what some of his works are selling for.

If any one has any information what some of his works are selling for I would greatly appreciate your input.

An American Giant Pascal Cucaro, called pat, is being called one of Americas most exciting artists. He was recently nominated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nations highest civilian awards, for his outstanding achievement in art.

To see him with his sunned complexion, his Basque beret cocked over one ear, his chin and his nose, one would easily take him for a child of the Basque country or Burn.

His Spanish origin explains this resemblance, and it was likewise this Latin blood that drove him to travel in France and Spain. From his Parisian sojourn, from his studies in private studios, his long strolls the length of the Seine or across the French countryside, he has brought back pictures which some feel vibrate with some of the magic of his masters; Cezanne, Lautarec, Utrillo and Dufy.

The walls of his studio smile at you when the sun envelops them with its dust-laden light. They are hung with scenes evocative of the picturesque Paris discovered by the painter hidden spots, fountains forgotten by the tourist agencies, places where artists, painters and musicians dream again. This is the world of Pat Cucaro. Some of the scenes are of night-spots painted with humor and nostalgia a little in the manner of Lautrec, while others are abstract creations that are smoothly executed.

Cucaro talks about only two things, painting and love. Those, he says, are his only interests. I paint all the time , day and night. I have no television, no radio and I only sometimes read the headlines of the news papers

With dark, piercing eyes, a mobile face and expressive hands always on the move, the artist has been painting for 20 years  since he moved here to study at the California School of Arts. From the beginning his work sold.

I was lucky he says, I didnt have to push hard to sell, and because of this I was able to work in peace. San Francisco has been good to me. I owe it to a woman who had faith in me from the beginning and believed in my talent. She bought my paintings as fast as I could make them and helped to get my name known. Now Cucraos paintings are selling quite rapidly.

A continuos showing of Cucaros works is maintained by Banduccis hungry I, his celebrated nightspot in North Beach. A complete show of Cucaro is on exhibition at the Core Galler, 335 Stockton St. in San Francisco.

Hotel-Motel, Greetings Guide

-- Jeff Palmer (jpalm@gte.net), February 03, 1999.

I recently found out that Cucaro's daughter had a one day exhibit at an art gallery in Sausolito, CA on March 6, 1999. The paintings were for sale, and I will try to find out what the going price was for an average size painting. Will get back soon.

-- Otto Dobre (otto@doglover.com), April 07, 1999.

At this writing, he's still alive - his daughter is a veterinarian in Pacifica, California. His work is quite stunning, so hang on to it if you like it. I love all of mine , but to each his own.

-- Chris Morano (chris@licensemusic.com), January 19, 2001.

I did a radio show in Marin County in the late '60's and early '70's While I was interviewing Cucaro he sketched four items - just on scratch paper, but I had him sign them, and have them framed. He sent me a signed print of his daughter - Angelique - One of my favorites of his works.

I too, would like to know what his hand-signed prints, etc. would be appraised for now. magi (Bennett) mueller

-- margaret (magi) Mueller (maginjac@att.net), January 21, 2001.

I bought my first Cucaro in San Francisco picking it from a bin in a galary at the wharf for $100. It was Angelique and now hangs along side the works of Simbari, Boulanger, and Dali. I also have an oil with clowns and the Cucaro book. I bought to oil for $1200 so it's likely work about$3-5K, but this is a guess.

-- (JasLMills@aol.com), February 17, 2001.

I have an oil displaying a man under a bridge, the setting looks like venice italy. please advise if anybody is intrested in purchasing this painting.

-- michael auerbach (auerbachmichael@aol.com), July 23, 2001.

I have an old original 5 x 7 color water painting that is probably 30 years old. It looks to be one of his first clown paintings. It is signed Cucaro. It would be nice to show it to him to see if he remembers who he did this for as it was found in an attic.

-- Bob Hoebel (rbrt3338@netscape.net), November 01, 2001.

I have 4 painting that I bought in the 70's and a signed booklet. One is a large 3x5 of clowns ,one is a self portrait and the others are still lifes. Is there any market for these painting?

-- Gerald T. Charles (jerrygtc@msn.com), November 04, 2001.

I have emailed all those on the list of answers. I have a small oil, signed. I never thought it was worth anything. But a person on this list seems to feel his, Cucaro is worth thousands. Very Interesting. Any further information would be great. Just Email me...or visit my website: www.badfirefighter43.com

-- DLee (badfirefighter43@yahoo.com), January 05, 2002.

He is the Picasso of San Fran...his work is well accepted, hanging in various art museums across the country. How do I know? I spent 2 hours on the internet this morning!

Take a look: http://www.geocities.com/the_vaughn_family/Cucaro_Exhibit.html

His work is worth a little now, but I'm guessing after his death (this guy looks like he may stick aournd for a while) it will go up quite a bit. Surf around, there is lots of stuff out there.

Gene

-- Gene (theproducr@aol.com), February 02, 2002.

I just bought a great self-portrait of Cucaro. Painted in 1958. He is wearing a tan beret. It's a very powerful portrait. I also have a signed copy of his 1969 booklet.

-- Scott Chapman (Scott_Chapman@LHH.com), March 15, 2002.

I have 4 Cucaro's, 3 small and one big, bought in the early 1960 from Cory Gallery in Sausalito. I would lke to sell. Any serious buyers?

-- Garland Wilson (garlandwilson@hotmail.com), March 25, 2002.

I have a large "Street Scene" I purchased from Cory Gallery in 8/77.

I don't know much about where it stands in terms of his overall work. Its a dark, rainy picture, and unless well-lighted, depressing. I don't recall why I liked it back in 77. Would be willing sell, though with that kind of review, I'm not sure who would want to buy it unless somthing was needed to match a depressed mood.

-- Gerald Whitmarsh (gawhit@comcast.net), April 01, 2002.

I recently bought a drawing of a small girl holding what looks like a star. Very beautiful, simple drawing. Am interested if anyone knows anything about this drawing. About Cory Gallery in Los Angeles. It is dated '70. I would like to know what it is selling for. Also, some advice as to reframing it. The back paper is ripped off and it could use a new frame. Drawing is still in tack. Any advise would be helpful. Thanks...Candice O

-- Candice O'Halloran (candiceo@hawaii.rr.com), April 08, 2002.

I have my own Cucaro. When I found his work -- on a lunch hour stroll down by Union Square in San Francisco -- I couldn't tear myself away from one small piece ... something that the manager of the Cory Gallery considered more or less a "pot boiler." I looked at the price -- $35!! That was when I could stay at a residence club for $70 a month ... so I headed for the door, but then turned back for just one more look. The man in charge smiled when I got up the nerve to ask him if they ever sold "on time," and I almost gasped out loud when he said yes!! He had seen me, and walked right to the picture I wanted. He didn't even look at the price, and wrote out a bill of sale for $25, giving me credit for the $10 I paid him. I asked if I could pay the balance in two weeks with my next check, and he said that would be fine. Then he wrapped the piece and handed it to me, then and there. WOW!! You can bet I made certain to pay the balance two weeks later. That was late summer, 1963, and at least two dozen moves through two countries and five different "home" states. I can look at the man's face from where I sit at my desk.

It was an experimental work in near-monochromatic multi-media, and is actually on the back of a piece of pressboard he apparently used as a pallet at one point ... it has the impression from the handle end of one of his brushes.

At the time I purchased from Cory, the booklet I got [which is probably now lost] said that his works were part of the permanent collections of museums in New York, France, and England ... plus many private collectors by that time.

I don't want to sell my "pot boiler" at this point, but would like to know where appraisals can be found. I'd like to at least insure it, even though it can't be replaced.

-- L.D. Best (l.d.best@go-concepts.com), May 19, 2002.

I have a signed CUCARO done in late 50's, of an "oriental girl", in the original frame about 30" x 40". It was aquired as trade for framing shop services provided for him at the time in Walnut Creek, California. It is a beautiful captivating picture.If anyone knows of an available capable apraiser in Florida, I would be very pleased to hear from you. Thank you

-- David Banks (sknabboy@aol.com), June 26, 2002.

I currently have six paintings by Cucaro, and one signed print - a San Francisco scene, complete with cable car; it's just touristy enough, if you get my meaning. As for the paintings, they run the gamut of what's considered to be Cucaro's subjects of choice. The first two paintings I purchased were at an estate sale of a local collector - a "street scene" in vivid pinks and purples that's 24x48, and a 24x36 work in muted purples and beige with a row of men holding pikes or long sticks.

I picked up the rest of pieces over time - a New Orleans scene, a small still life, a very horizontal circus scene, and a magnificently framed group scene in golds and browns. I can't really decribe them that well; eventually I'll get pictures of them posted online.

Dave Manning

-- Dave Mannning (davemanning@mac.com), June 29, 2002.

I have an outsized Cucaro on a piece of linolium approximately 5"x12" He took some paint spatters from under where workers were working and said "see art is everywhere if you look for it." He proceeded to add his own paint to this piece and made it a collage of colorful faces peering out. I also have one of his clown posters from an exibit in SF that is beautiful.

-- L (elreiman@aol.com), September 16, 2002.

I represent a non-profit who was willed an art collection with an original Cucaro. We are trying to find its title and value. Can anyone help us? We'd really appreciate it. Thanks!!

-- (cucarocollector@hotmail.com), October 22, 2002.

I also have a wonderful Cucaro that I bought in SF in 1968.It has the bright circus colors he was known for-golds and reds-is from his people/people period and is approximately 2'X3' wide. I would like to find out what it is worth. Does anyone have any ideas how I can find out?

-- Julie James (cjjames@konatrader.com), April 23, 2003.

I have a dramatic 4' x 2' SF cityscape circa '60 I inherited. I was in Sausolito last and discovered he is still alive. Spoke to some old friends of his. No one I spoke to had an idea of value. I wouldn't part with mine.

-- Ron (rongar@quik.com), April 30, 2003.

In 1996-1997 Cucaro would sit outside in downtown Sausalito and attempt to sketch as much as his hands would allow. I worked in Sausalito then and would talk to him quite often. A very nice and funny human being. He liked to tell the tourist that John Wayne wore high heels in all his movies because he was so short. He would pretty much throw out crazy remarks to anybody that walked by.

He did some drawings for me. He put them down throughout an old Cucaro art book --a biographical paperback that was probably published in the sixties. I paid him in pens and pencils.

He liked to roll his tongue on the r of cucaro. Great person.

-- Brian Kuchta (bkuchta@hotmail.com), June 09, 2003.

Pascal Patrick "Pat" Cucaro is my best friend . . . he is alive and well and living in a nursing home near his daughters vet practice in Pacifica California . . . . we are creating a galley that specialized in the art he created in his life . . . . . look forward to an "official" web site soon, and a visitable gallery which only deals in his art . . . these are currently "works in progress" . . . .

visits to Pat should be screened through his daughter Angelique who is listed in the phone book . . .search google . . . his granddaughter Katya is the light of his life . . . . . 7july'003 by richard aspen

-- Richard Aspen (raspen@sausalito.net), July 09, 2003.

I knew Pascal Cucaro back in the early 70's in Sausalito, and he was the most interesting, intriuging artist that I have ever known. He gave me one of his signed paintings, one of the street scenes of a crowd of people. I have kept it all these years because it is so endearing to me. He is the kindest, most memorable man that I have ever known. I hope that he is doing well.

-- Shelley Campbell (luvsamburu@aol.com), August 08, 2003.

Someone told me the image I have at http://www.elevyconsulting. com/auctions/Pictures/Paintings/Pen%20and%20ink%20lithograph%20of% 20english%20bobbies%20by%20chicaro/Unedited/MVC-072F.JPG is a Cucaro? I'm not sure if it's a lithograph or an original drawing. It was from my Uncle Perry Rohr's collection. I'm wondering what it's a drawing of. It looks like English Bobbies but I am not sure.

-- Emanuel Levy (emanuel@levy.net), September 08, 2003.

I saw Pat's name in the obituaries section. He died in January 2004 at the age of 88.

-- Henry Azcona (nikte_ha@uclink4.berkeley.edu), February 21, 2004.

It seems that many of the questions have been answered, but the one most people seek is the value of his art. I have been doing a lot of research on Cucaro as I feel he is a very under rated artist. Ed Cory was a very good business man, and after discovering Pascal Cucaro saw a lot of potential to market this mans art, a fact that he did and did quite well. People were drawn to Cucaros art. Many travelers from around the globe found Cory galleries in various locations in San Francisco, and as people do wanted to bring back momentos from their trips. They found that in Cucaros paintings, many images that spoke to them in his paintings of San Francisco, images of bright colors, seascapes, and one of his most famous, " people people" paintings. Scenes that Cucaro would do as people walked by in places that he painted. Cucaro would paint on anything he could find, for two reasons, in the early days cash flow was off, but many of these are some of his best works, the early years, he painted just because he loved to paint so much. As time went on he was perfecting his craft. Ed Cory was a business man, but loved art as well, it is much to his credit that Cucaro was brought to the art world. In the day Cucaro would sell his paintings for what ever he could get, sometimes trading them for a meal. A humble man, an honest man, devoted to his art. After Ed Corys death and with out him as the main promoter of his work he faded away. When Cucaro was alive his paintings would sell in the gallery for 50.00 dollars for small images, a few hundred for 8x10 size, on up to a two thousand for large pieces. Because Cucaro was on the go so much his larger paintings that range in size 48x48 and larger are few. Many of these works painted after he landed with Ed Cory. Even to this day his paintings haven`t recevied the big dollar increases over their original prices, many selling for around the same price they sold for years ago. Time will tell where this will go, but at this writing an average price for better pieces range from the low hundreds to around two thousand for his best pieces. But that still is rare. No Cucaro to my research past to present has ever sold for more than two thousand, please contact me if you can prove otherwise. I also seek to purchase his works, please contact me if you have any paintings for sale. Cucaro with the title of "Picasso of San Francisco" is well deserved.

-- M. Langley (mbcsican@aol.com), January 01, 2005.