From his studio in Lucca Geoff Pavitt gives life to Italians and Italian landscapes both famous and unknown. Geoff is an artist with an inquiring mind, and someone who likes to explore societies past and present. His art draws inspiration from the best of Lucca and the region of Tuscany. The people, music, wine, events and general day to day living all inspire his work and his passion for Italian life.
Each of his paintings reflect his deep understanding of the culture and the history of Italy. His deep affection for the Italian people is felt in each of his paintings as he uses that to inspire his work. His chosen medium is oil on canvas. He likes the flexibility and also the slower pace of oils. It allows him time for contemplation, for immersing himself in the subject and the time of their life, or the moment he is recreating. Then, as his brushes move across the canvas he converts the white canvas into a stunning piece of art.
Geoff Pavitt was born in south London in the early 1950’s. His father was a Master Butcher, who often prepared meats for the Royal occasions at Windsor Castle. Geoff worked in the family business that also sold grocery items, as well as Italian delicacies. Geoff became a member of the City of London Livery company of Master Butchers.
In 2001 Geoff had gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Humanities, a diploma in European studies and in 2004 an MA in London studies from the University of London. He was the business manager and archivist at Gresham college between 2000 and 2009.
At Gresham College, with the support of the then Provost, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, Geoff wrote and published Portraits of the Gresham Professors and gave several lectures on the history of the College and mercantile London. In 2009 he was awarded “Freeman of the City of London” for his works on history, culture and art of City Merchants during the Tudor Period.
In 2013 after visiting the length and breadth of mainland Italy and Sicily Geoff chose to become a resident of the beautiful city of Lucca in Tuscany.
In Lucca he continues his passionate pursuit of art and social history and the operas of Giacomo Pucini. His fascination with Puccini has led to him painting a series of oil-on-canvas portrait paintings which have become highly sought after, along with a limited collection of Art Prints. He has written 2 books while in Lucca, “Puccini” and “London to Lucca: A Fascinating Tale of Two Cities.
Spending time with Geoff is like opening a history book of Italy. He has immersed himself in learning the history of the country and the region in which he lives. Geoff is famous for his belief that anywhere the Romans never traveled, or occupied is not a place he is interested in visiting. Driven by that belief he has studied Italian history in depth, a history that spans across Europe and the Middle East.
You can see Geoff Pavitt’s work on his Artful Italia page, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see photos and videos of Geoff’s studio and paintings.
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