Only three months ago I was taking photographs in the beautiful Belle Epoque building, the Riviera Palace - for a future series - and had the pleasure meeting the sculptress, Arlette Somazzi who lives and works there. She posed for these photographs and then we talked as she walked me around the private gardens (only residents have a key). She walked with care, once using my arm as we walked up some steps, but she had an inner energy and joy in life. When we talked about her work and some of her famous subjects, she said simply 'I love people.' So I was upset to read in yesterday's Nice-Matin that she died on Tuesday in her Riviera Palace apartment where she has lived for many years. She was on the eve of her 90th birthday.
Mme Somazzi was born in Bruges and you will find her work in many parts of Menton. It's her sculpture of Le Corbusier that greets you at the beginning of the Promenade le Corbusier. She has sculpted Prince Albert II of Monaco, Raymond Baree, Rudolph Nureyev,Arthur Miller, Marcel Pagnol, Jacques Brel and many more. Her bust of Cocteau stands by the Bastion museum - click HERE to view some of her work. Her most recent exhibition finished in June. Her funeral takes place today. It's such a privilege to have met this talented artist however briefly.
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Il y a seulement trois mois , je prenais des photos au Riviéra Palace, superbe immeuble de la Belle Epoque,- pour une future série - et j'ai eu le plaisir de rencontrer la sculptrice, Arlette Somazzi qui vivait et y travaillait. Elle a posé pour ces photographies puis nous avons parlé en nous promenant dans les jardins privés (seuls les résidents en ont une clé). Elle marchait avec précaution, s'appuyant même une fois sur mon bras dans un escalier, mais elle avait une belle énergie intérieure et de la joie de vivre. Lorsque nous avons parlé de son travail et de certains de ses sujets célèbres, elle a dit simplement «J'aime les gens." Aussi,j'ai été bouleversée de lire hier dans Nice-Matin qu'elle est décédée mardi dans son appartement du Riviéra Palace, où elle a vécu pendant de nombreuses années. Elle était à l'aube de son 90e anniversaire.
Mme Somazzi est née à Bruges, et vous pouvez admirer son oeuvre dans de nombreux lieux de Menton et sa région. C'est son buste du Corbusier qui vous accueille au début de la Promenade du Corbusier à Roquebrune Cap Martin. Elle a sculpté aussi le Prince Albert II de Monaco, Raymond Barre, Rudolf Noureev, Arthur Miller, Marcel Pagnol, Jacques Brel et bien d'autres. Son buste de Cocteau se trouve dans le musée du Bastion à Menton. Cliquez ICI pour voir quelques uns de ses travaux. Son exposition la plus récente s'est terminée en Juin. Ses funérailles ont lieu aujourd'hui. C'est un grand privilège d'avoir rencontré cette artiste talentueuse même brièvement.
Mme Somazzi offered to remove her sunglasses for the photos but I declined, knowing how bright the sun was. Now I wished I had accepted her offer.
ReplyDeleteThe green ribbon around her neck holds the key that enabled her to enter the private gardens of the Riviera Palace.
I'm back in the Riviera in a couple of weeks, so now when I see the sculpture of Le Corbusier I will think of these pictures you took of Arlette Somazzi and of your meeting. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration as well.
Oh that's so sad Jilly, it always amazes me how things can change in such a short space of time.
ReplyDeleteReally makes sense of the expression 'live each day as if it was your last!'
A fitting tribute from one extremely talented person to another. Bless you Jilly.
ReplyDeleteAt least you caught her beautyful smile, and that's how we'll keep her in mind now, an lovely and talented smiling old lady..
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask about the glasses, and the hesitant walking. But I gather she was not totally unsighted. A grand age to reach, and a lovely way to go, when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I agree. I was so surprised to read she had died because she was so alive only three months ago. She walked hesitantly - just slowly and carefully - but I don't think there was anything wrong with her sight. the glasses were simply against the bright sun. I wear them too. Never go out without dark glasses so perhaps I was being too sensitive when she kindly offered to remove her glasses for the photo. No matter, you are right, I'm glad if she had to go she went quickly and with no lingering illness.
ReplyDeleteOh and how very special that you were able to spend time with her and capture her so full of life. A fitting tribute Jilly. Another sensitive portrait.
ReplyDeleteV
Dame charmante.
ReplyDeleteFor someone where you live, a portrait with dark glasses might be seen as normal, so maybe you didn't miss anything. It is sad in its way, but we will all reach the end of the road, and her road was very long and filled with accomplishments and joy.
ReplyDeleteShe was vibrant but her energy lives on in her work.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see you, remind me to tell you the story of what happened with a printout of a page from Nice-Matin's web site in the early days of the web and our first visit to that city.
I was really moved by this post Jilly. I can imagine how upset you were to hear of Arlette Somazzi's death.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to have met her and to have taken such great photos of her. Your tribute to her is a wonderful one.
I just followed the link to her works - they are amazing. She was one talented sculptor!
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