The Carlo Pittore Foundation for the Figurative Arts is presenting an exhibition of Pittore portraits beginning Monday through April 30 at Sonny’s, Portland’s new restaurant and lounge at 83 Exchange St. in the Old Port.

”Carlo Pittore: A Fighter’s Eye” features 18 oil paintings by the late Maine artist, including several selections from his boxer series. A reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. March 14, with jazz by a combo led by trumpeter Mark Tipton, one of Pittore’s proteges.

The exhibition follows the public auction of Pittore paintings and works on paper in Portland last spring, and is the precursor to the first major solo exhibition of Pittore’s paintings in New York City this fall.

”Carlo Pittore: A Fighter’s Eye” is the inaugural exhibition at Sonny’s, which opened last month. Chef and owner Jay Villani, a sculptor, is also the proprietor of Local 188, the Congress Street eatery that melded visual and culinary arts in Portland more than a decade ago.

Sarah Bouchard, executive director of the Pittore foundation, is curator for the exhibition. The foundation exists to preserve and promote Pittore’s work, and to assist fellow figurative artists through grants, arts advocacy and educational endeavors.

The portraits in ”A Fighter’s Eye” are among the most accomplished Pittore paintings made available for private sale since his death in 2005.

For additional information, visit carlo pittorefoundation.org or call 809-9670.


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