DAVID LIGARE (AMERICAN B.1945) Still Life with Bottles and Spoon 2007 oil on canvas 51 x 61 cm (20 x 24 in.) framed dimensions: 55.5 x 65.5 cm (21 3/4 x 25 3/4 in.) monogrammed lower right, signed dated on verso PROVENANCE Hackett Freedman Gallery, San Francisco, CA (label on verso) Collection of Dr. Abner Delman, Santa Fe, NM, and Sarasota, FL LOT NOTES David Ligare is a contemporary American painter renowned for his meticulous, classically inspired works that blend Greco-Roman aesthetics with the natural beauty of California. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, and raised in Southern California, Ligare studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. In the late 1960s, he relocated to Monterey County, where he immersed himself in the region's landscapes and light, which would become central to his artistic vision. Since the late 1970s, Ligare has focused on creating paintings that explore themes of harmony, order, and timelessness. Drawing inspiration from classical antiquity, his works often depict idealized figures, still lifes, and landscapes, all rendered with precision and clarity. He employs geometric compositions and a harmonious color palette to evoke a sense of balance and serenity, reflecting his belief in the enduring relevance of classical ideals in contemporary life. Ligare's paintings are held in prominent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. His work has been featured in numerous solo exhibitions across the United States and Europe, and he continues to live and work in Monterey County, where the landscape remains a profound influence on his art. ADDITIONAL NOTES Dr. Abner Joseph Delman, a distinguished cardiologist and dedicated advocate for Holocaust education, passed away at the age of 93. Born in 1930, Dr. Delman graduated from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, in 1955. He devoted his medical career to the field of cardiovascular disease, practicing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Sarasota, Florida. Beyond his medical practice, he was known for his passion for art, his love of chocolate, and his gentle and generous nature. Dr. Delman was married for 45 years to Ilse-Lore Delman, a Holocaust survivor who spent three years in hiding during World War II. In 1998, Ilse recorded her testimony with the USC Shoah Foundation, and the couple became actively involved with the organization. Following Ilse's passing in 2018, Dr. Delman established the Dr. Abner J. and Ilse Delman Fund in memory of Ilse and her parents, Ernest and Erna Nathan. This endowment supports the Institute’s education, research, and collections programs, ensuring that stories like Ilse’s are preserved and shared with the world.