Xavier Cugat (1900-1990) Oil on Canvas Painting of a Watermelon Boy Xavier Cugat (1900-1990) Oil on Canvas Painting of a Watermelon Boy . Oil on canvas. Canvas measures 10" by 12" (with frame 13" by 15"). Excellent condition showing no damage, as pictured. Xavier Cugat was born in Girona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1900. His family emigrated to Cuba when he was three years old. He studied classical violin and was first chair violinist for the Teatro Nacional Symphonic Orchestra. When he was not performing, he started drawing caricatures. On 6 July 1915 he and his family arrived in New York City on the SS Havana. Through the middle part of the 20th century, Cugat became famous as a latin big band leader, often called "The King of the Mambo." He appeared in numerous movies including the 1928 film "Xavier Cugat and the Gigolos." He has two stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. He also worked for the Los Angeles Times as a cartoonist. His caricatures were nationally syndicated. They appeared in Photoplay magazine beginning with the November 1927 issue, under the byline "de Bru." He took up drawing again in his retirement years, creating whimsical drawings and oil paintings, including this one, which is very typical of his work. Cugat's oil paintings typically sell in the $200-500 range. The record price for this artist at auction is 2,250 USD for Lounging kitty, sold at Heritage Auctions, Dallas in 2021.
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