Joseph Maniscalco Art for Sale and Sold Prices

b. 1926 - d. 2007

Joseph Maniscalco (Michigan, New York, 1926 - 2007) Joseph Maniscalco was born in Tampa, Florida, the son of Michaelangelo Maniscalco. At the age of nine he moved to New York City. When he was fifteen he found a one-dollar bill on the floor at Macy's art material department, which enabled him to purchase his first set of oil paints. He went on to receive his training in art as a scholarship student at the famous Art Students League in New York City.His abilities as a portrait artist were recognized by Twentieth Century Fox Studios where he painted portraits of movie stars for their posters. In 1953 he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a freelance artist for many of the largest studios. Since 1968 he has maintained a studio at the Scarab Club of Detroit, and has devoted himself exclusively to fine arts and portraiture. He has twice served as President of the Scarab Club with many years on its Board of Directors.Joseph Maniscalco has had a number of one-man shows and his work is included in numerous private and public collections. His subjects have included figures from families, universities, corporate and banking institutions, hospitals, government and sports.Recent commissions include portraits of Dr. Diether Haenicke, retired president of Western Michigan University, Congressman John D. Dingell, which hangs in the Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Detroit Medical Center and Steve Yzerman, captain of the Red Wings hockey team.Among his many awards are three Gold Medals at the annual Scarab Club Medal exhibition and first prize at its annual Silver Medal Show, the Fitch award from the annual exhibition of the Michigan Academy of Letters, Arts and Science, and the Artist/Performer Award from the Wayne County Council for Arts, History & Humanities. He is frequently called upon to judge art exhibitions, conduct seminars, lecture and demonstrate the art of portrait painting.In addition to enjoying his reputation as a leading portrait painter, he is also known for his paintings of a wide variety of subject matter, including still life, landscape and non-commissioned character portrait studies.