Program
Object number2007.131.118
Artist
Peter A. Contis
(died 1973)
Date1971
MediumPaper; ink
Credit LineGift of Helen Contis
DescriptionPrinted tri-folded program of scheduled events. Multi-colored. Two covers feature blue and black peacocks, painted by Peter Contis. Printed inside is schedule of events and retailer information followed by list exhibitions in galleries throughout month. Artist signature on third side, in pencil, under peacock and store name. On back, top left corner, is retailer information.Dimensions7 in. (17.8 cm)SignedSignature of Peter Contis on third side, in pencil, under peacock and "Joseph / Horne".
InscriptionsPrinted inside, "SCHEDULE / OF EVENTS/ ON PEACOCK LANE / SEPTEMBER, 1971 / MAKE PLANS NOW / TO ATTEND THE EVENTS IMPORTANT / TO YOU. HORNE'S FOURTH FLOOR" ; followed by list exhibitions in galleries throughout month.
On back, top left corner, "JOSEPH HORNE CO. / at Gateway Center / Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222".
Historical NotesThis object is part of a large collection of artwork by Peter and Helen Contis. Peter Contis emigrated to Pittsburgh in 1910 and began working in the restaurant business with his brothers. Peter later returned to his homeland of Greece and met Helen in 1928; they married three months later. Moving back to Pittsburgh, Peter eventually opened a restaurant called the Neon Grill in 1932, while Helen raised their three children. Nearly thirty years later, the restaurant was closed and razed, allowing the Contis' to realize their talent in art. A religious man all his life, Peter began painting landscapes, both of Pittsburgh and Greece, and other still lifes, focusing on God's perfect affection in nature: his buildings are symmetrical and colors are vivid. Helen's talents were not revealed until after Peter's death in 1973, when she began to paint poetically the landscapes and still lifes on her own. Helen died in 2004.
Related person
Helen P. Contis
(died 2004)
Related institution
Joseph Horne Company
(1849 - 1994)
On View
Not on view
1999
2008
Erwin Schofer
2008
