Calabi Gallery

Featuring an Eclectic Array of Primarily 20th Century Artwork

Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto

Lydia Adele Macchiarini Benvenuto (Forestville, CA. April 16, 1913 – May 19, 2009)

Low Tide by Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto, 1960, Tempera on Panel, 18 x 25

Autumn Leaves by Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto, 1960, Oil on Panel, 16-1/2 x 22-1/2

Lonely St (Lonely Street) by Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto, Oil Painting

 

Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto (1913-2009), a self-taught painter and textile craft artist, professionally trained in fiber, handwork and embroidery techniques beginning at age 10 in Pietrasanta, Lucca, Tuscany. Lydia was born in Forestville, California into a family of Italian immigrant agricultural laborers, midwives, and artists. During WWII, she evacuated with her family to the remote countryside as Partisans, and remained a lifelong and passionate proponent of feminist social consciousness and equity. As an artist and cultural advocate, she was involved with SFWA San Francisco Women’s Artists and the Museo Italo Americano, among other organizations. She lived and exhibited in Italy and San Francisco, where she notably showed alongside Jay DeFeo, Ruth Asawa, Joan Brown.

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