Ed Ruscha Ed Ruscha Ed Ruscha - Art and Living

esearched and correct. Beautiful things that are done aesthetically have soulrather than cost.”Standing in front of a monumental and extremely rare Tuscan walnut twophasecabinet (Italy, ca. 1650), Shapiro takes pleasure in its unique architectural quality.Its overwhelming scale and presence, coupled with the carved design, make it astatement in any room—not just a piece of art. Shapiro searches out these uncommonpieces from a variety of sources: antique dealers, auctions, fairs and privateestates throughout Italy.The Warrior David, a wooden statue of a youthful warrior, is an attention-grabber.Thiselaborately carved, 16 th century Italian walnut piece represents an unusuallyintense and masterful depiction of David, an immensely popular Old Testamentfigure in Renaissance Florence.The skill of the carving, combined with the quirkinessof the details of the warrior—its long neck and somewhat funny face—are examplesof the distinctive characteristics Shapiro looks for in his pieces.Intrigued by the interiors of residences throughout Italy, Shapiro was inspiredto create Studiolo, a line of contemporary furniture created and designed to accentuatethe grandest of each antique period piece in his salon. “When I traveledthrough Italy I noticed the nonchalance and casualness in the decor,” he remarks.“Itwas their approach toward design and decoration that struck me.” Studiolo appealsto the sophisticated palate.The classic shapes and colors do not try to be the focalpoint of a room, but rather compliment and intrinsically combine with a Baroquepiece, for example.The Warrior David, Italian (possibly Florentine), late 16th century. Walnut. Photo bySteven Barston.According to Shapiro, the personal fulfillment in providing these extraordinarypieces for his clientele far surpasses the tedious and time-consuming processof transporting them into the country.“I am truly driven to create a spiritual environment,promote connoisseurship, and develop a hierarchy of all things that arespecial and unique,” he smiles.He enjoys showing patrons around and marvels at the way they react to theGilt wood canapé, Italian, ca. 1760. Gilt wood, pattern-imprinted leather following methodsused in the period. Photo by Doug Meyers.pieces in his salon.“I never feel pressure in having to do business,” he says.“It’s all veryeffortless, very easy to me. It is my true calling.”Art and Living 71