FAMOUS MONEGASQUES
Emmanuel Bellini took his childhood images of Monaco with him and in his professional life as an architect helped transform the Côte d ’ Azur around Monaco and Cannes . But in his heart he yearned to paint those joyful scenes from his childhood memory — those aristocratic horse-drawn carriages and the Casino and Opera of Monte-Carlo . He got to do so and caught the eye of Prince Rainier in the process — the bright joyful scenes especially .
But even more so he and Prince Rainier bonded over a joint passion for the circus — a theme that Bellini was to intensely focus on in his paintings . And so as Prince Rainier was bringing his full enthusiasm to bear to bring the first great International Circus to Monaco , just two years before , in 1972 , the Prince organized an Expo of Bellini ’ s paintings in Sporting d ’ Hiver .
Then in 1974 Prince Rainier opened his International Circus — and those scenes of clowns and merriment are very much captured in Bellini ’ s prolific art .
Prince Rainier never ceased to celebrate their joint passion so when Bellini was in his 80 ’ s the Prince again created an Expo of his work , this time entirely focusing on the circus themes in Bellini ’ s paintings .
Bellini ’ s legacy shines every year now , whenever the prizes are awarded at the International Circus of Monaco with the
Emmanuel Bellini and his daughter , Lucette Эммануэль и Люсетт Беллини
Famous clowns by Bellini Знаменитые клоуны кисти Беллини
granting of the Emmanuel Bellini Prize . The passion of Prince Rainier shared by Emmanuel and reflected in his prize lives on .
BELLINI ’ S DAUGHTER LUCETTE
Lucette Bellini had a rare and wonderful childhood brought up in a dreamlike Belle Époque ambiance at
© Lucette Bellini
© Lucette Bellini the coat-tails of one of Monaco ’ s extraordinarily talented artists . Emmanuel Bellini , her father , was both an architect and a painter whose drawings and paintings influenced and shaped the Côte d ’ Azur . First and foremost an architect , Emmanuel Bellini even built the first subdivision of the Var ( Village of San Pëire sur Mer ) as far back as 1928 .
His daughter Lucette , now in her eighties , has made a record of her warm family memories the calm and joy reflected in warm interiors , family gatherings in Monaco , horse-drawn carriages , weddings , holiday celebrations , musical concerts at Salle Garnier in Monte-Carlo , dance halls and garden parties . Rich memories too of her geographical environment , horses returning in the evening after their day ’ s work , particularly scenic landscapes of the lavender harvest , or the snowscapes of the winter festive season .
There exists a photo of her from the 1930s when she was 2 years old … on a construction site ! Emmanuel Bellini took his only daughter to many of his sites as he was imagining and designing the construction of numerous villas on the Côte d ’ Azur around Monaco and Cannes , from Marseille to Menton .
Lucette thus had a unique childhood ; she was immersed in architecture from birth . Apparently the very first words she spoke were not mom or dad as you would expect but “ pencil and paper ,” as she followed Dad the architect around .
Hello Monaco Winter 2021 – 2022 / 97 www . hellomonaco . ru