Culture, Forum, Latvia, Society

The son of the renowned Italian art collectors, Daniele Donde (Dondé), learned to love art from an early age surrounded by beautiful pictures of world celebrities. However, besides, he learned to paint professionally at Milano Brera Accademia delle belle Arti. 

Dondé uses gold, silver, Swarovski crystal, other gems and semi-precious stones, as well as white pieces of mirrors, in “decorating” portraits of famous beauties, mostly four of them: Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Sofia Loren (two of the picture are seen below).

There was only one man included, i.e. Napoleon and on some decorated violins. 

The Dondé’s concept is crystal clear to grasp: the chosen women (as natural beauties without too much makeup and “ingredients”) are so beautiful that a glamorous décor would make them shining, hence the maestro’s novice, so-called Glam Art.

Therefore the artist’s creative mind together with innovative technique made Daniel (Dondé) famous around the world.    

Legal fakes

However, the path to glory was not so easy… After the death of his parents, family’s art collection went on sale; this is where the young painter recognized that about half of the collection was “fakes”. His reaction was straight – temporary art exhibitions of “legal fakes”, which were organised in major world cities from Milan to London, to Sydney and Moscow, to Tokyo and Rome…  

He himself made some of the “legal fakes” of Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Degas, etc. Dondé’s motto at that time was “give everyone a masterpiece”; in this way he had tracked down the forgers and made great masterpieces available to all at the affordable price.

Though, fakes did not disappear, this kind of “art” is presently at the level of $350 billion (!) in the world. However, Dondé’s efforts during 1990s to combat fraud have been recognized and appreciated in the world.

From fake to glamour 

In 2002, Dondé presented for the first time with great success his original glamour art collection in Monte Carlo. Thus the world got to know Dondé’s talent: a new artist was born able to change people’s approach to contemporary art. And a new style was born - Glam

Art.

Already in 2012, he was opening own art gallery in Lugano, Switzerland called “Kristal & Glam luxury art gallery”; and two years later an art gallery in Asia.

In July 2015, Daniel made several innovative presentations: the new art collection “pearl flowers”, as well as violin, cello, mandolin and guitar decorated with pearls. He made totally about 10 decorated violins…  

Making women glamorous

Behind the Dondé’s idea is the simple truth originated from the iconic song which made Marilyn Monroe a legend –“Diamonds are a girl's best friend”. The words that made Dondé’s art both glamorous and unique: one can never have enough beauty, in particular with women... 

At the Dondé’s exhibition one can be almost blind with precious stones around beautiful faces!

The only disappointing thing: I noticed only a few men in the hall; there were mostly women enjoying themselves, which is a pity.