biography of Ines Somenzini LUGANO (1891-1983)

Birth place: Verretto, Pavia, Italy

Death place: New Orleans, LA

Addresses: New Orleans, active 1917-78

Profession: Miniature and portrait painter, illustrator, restorer

Studied: Acad. FA, Pavia, Italy, and with Romeo Borgognoni.

Exhibited: New Orleans AA, 1918; Century of Progress, Chicago, 1933; Smithsonian Inst., 1940-41; Am. Soc. Min. P., 1940-41; Grand Central A. Gal., 1941-43; Pa. Soc. Min. P.; NOMA; Indianapolis, Ind.; Birmingham, Ala.; Mus. FA of Houston, and in Italy. Awards: silver medal, Nat. Exh., Milano. Italy, 1930; medal of honor, Cal. Soc. Min. P., 1935; prizes, New Orleans AA, 1939.

Member: Pa. Soc. Min. P.; NOAA; New Orleans A. &Cr. C.; SSAL.

Work: Tulane Univ.; NOMA

Comments: She came to New Orleans in 1910, and in the 1920s worked with Dr. Marcus Feingold creating drawings and paintings of various eye conditions for use as teaching aids. Through this work she became interested in miniature portrait painting, developing a transparent technique that won her international acclaim.

Sources: WW59; WW47. More recently, see Encyclopaedia of New Orleans Artists, 243.