SAVIOURS
Oil paintings by Richard Taddei
Opening Friday, June 6th, 6pm
Greg Salvatori Gallery presents a solo exhibition of Richard Taddei’s oil paintings, featuring his most recent works alongside selections from his prolific, five-decade career archive.
“I’m fascinated,” says Salvatori, “by how savior archetypes exist in the eye of the beholder, from ‘chosen ones’ like Krishna, Jesus, and Harry Potter to feminist trailblazers, strong men in times of political and cultural crises, or healthcare workers during a pandemic. Taddei’s Saviours are heroes, protectors from loneliness and danger. His fragmented images are secrets cautiously disclosed, capturing the struggle between safety and desire so typical of the queer experience.”
Born in 1946 in New York City, Taddei’s artistic journey began with formal training at the University of Toledo and Pratt Institute, where he initially pursued architecture before dedicating himself to fine art. His early exposure to Europe’s grand museums during a formative 1967 trip ignited a lifelong passion for the heroic traditions of painting, particularly the Venetian 17th-century school.
Taddei’s interplay of geometry, light, and illusion draws viewers into a dreamlike world where reality is both celebrated and subverted. Renowned for his sensual male nudes, Taddei employs a sophisticated command of trompe-l’œil and distorted perspective to tease and captivate. This distinctive approach has earned him a place in the permanent collection of the Leslie-Lohman Museum, a testament to his significance within queer art discourse and beyond.
A prolific exhibitor, Taddei’s work has been shown at prestigious galleries across the United States for over thirty years, from solo shows at Steem Gallery in New York (1998) to major exhibitions in Provincetown during the 1990s. His early career was marked by influential mentorships and collaborations, notably with Edward Melcarth, who introduced him to the art of murals and trompe-l’œil in 1968 while working on a commission at the Hotel Pierre. Encounters with luminaries like Peggy Guggenheim, Robert Hughes, and Jacqueline Onassis further shaped his trajectory, while friendships with artists like Keith Haring and collectors like Malcolm Forbes amplified his presence in the art world.
Taddei’s versatility extends beyond the canvas. His decorative painting career, launched in the 1980s, includes iconic murals for Tavern on the Green, the Metropolitan Museum’s Party of the Year, and the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Annual Gala. His designs for Tiffany & Co.—ranging from china to scarves—demonstrate a seamless fusion of fine and applied arts. Notable commissions, such as the decoration of Lord Jermyn’s New York townhouse and a penthouse for Freddie Gershon, underscore his ability to transform spaces with his signature illusionistic flair.
Recent press, including features in Time Out NY and The Gay & Lesbian Review by Taylor Lewandowski, has celebrated Taddei’s enduring relevance. A forthcoming book by Reed Massengill promises to illuminate the depth of his life and contributions. Exclusively represented by Greg Salvatori Gallery, Taddei’s new and archival works remain available, offering collectors a chance to engage with his singular vision.
