StefanoMaugeri

 

Nature, a source of fascination, emotion and discovery, enchanted me since I was a kid, instilling in me the
urge to interpret through drawing – another great passion that soon emerged -  the extraordinary world
of animals and plants, now known as biodiversity.
In a long time span, during which I also attended a five-year class at Rome's Art Institute and visited several museums and associations, it became a lifestyle choice: 
from the drawings I made to illustrate my school researches to scientific and landscape illustrations, from
painting to sculpture, including also humorous and educational aspects illustrated in the form of comic strips and
cartoons. Most of this work was advertised on books, magazines and scientific publications edited
by Institutions and celebrated publishers.
I've spent decades working as an official at the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise Nazional Park, and as a collaborator with
WWF's Italian division, FAO and many other important foundations. I consolidated my bond with nature by sightseeing trips in close and faraway places, which also allowed me to be part of many
exhibitions - in Italy and abroad – as well as environmental protection programs.
Over the last fifteen years my career path widened to various cooperations with museum and Archaeology
Departments of the Ministry for Cultural Assets, Universities and Foundations, such as Rome’s Bioparco (city zoo)
and the Italian division of the Jane Goodall Institute. Many artistic activities are the result of projects, still under way,
leaded by the talented group of artists-naturalists Ars et Natura. By practicing live drawing, these artists
are intended to make natural environment known and help protecting it in all of its forms.
Last but not least, I’m fascinated by past technologies and in particular I focus on historical archery; I rebuild
equipment and different kind of bows with which I actually practice archery. In my opinion, this is more gratifying than competitions in shooting ranges.

Favored by his very good naturalistic knowledge, Stefano instills in his works
unlimited love for the subjects he portrays: from bear to wolf, lion to white heron, all
shown in their habitat.
Although beech forests, Apennine Mountains and a complete absence of the human kind are the subject
of a large part of his works, fascinating Mediterranean landscapes also shine in his passionate portrayals in which he uses pensils, watercolors or tempera, most of the time made in support of conservation and
environmental protection actions.
His scientifically perfect illustrations enrich books written by dozens of authors (including me) who play a big part into getting nature through people.
To this day, many artists are following his footsteps by depicting plants and animals, yet Stefano
Maugeri’s works still stand out, especially for the love for nature they're inspired by and the deep knowledge that characterises them.

 

 

In our group of naturalists, each one of us features his own personal style. We all have our benchmarks and Stefano Maugeri is one of them. I’ve met him years ago, we collaborated many times for exhibits, encyclopedias, publications and various initiatives, and through all that, I never stopped admiring his work.
His animals (and also his plants) are masterfully portrayed in pictures made of three keypoints: indisputable technical skills (especially using watercolors and pencil), vitality (attitudes, postures,movements drawn with particular care) and settings (the right one, where we expect to find that particular animal or plant).
These three keypoints derive from his knowledge of plants, animals and their habitats. In all of this, Stefano is an artist of international level, always ready to help others and give them credit for what they do, stepping aside to make room for emerging youths.
In my opinion, his best works are the ones featuring snakes, animals that he's always been fascinated by: they are all gathered up in a volume of rare beauty. Same can be said about paintings of the insect world.
Stefano is also a person of subtle humour: he sketches up politically-correct humoured comic strips about people, emphasizing their physical and mental features. Every naturalist appears to be great at this.
I admire those who master the pencil and skillfully use their brushes: all kids, from birth, are able to draw and depict their surroundings. Then a 99% of them stops practicing and loses this ability. Those few that
keep practicing are privileged people: they're able to pick up details that are overlooked by photographers, documentary film makers and researchers, and translate them onto paper, they'll never be alone and
never get bored.
Stefano has this natural gift, he made a profession out of it, without losing the freshness of a child in awe of nature.
I'm so glad to be his friend.

Francesco Petretti