Renato Mazza

Renato Mazza left many friends when he died at 97, peacefully and ready to go to his Maker. The artist, sculptor, teacher, art appraiser and former Italian Consul in Dallas discovered his love of art and began sketching at age 5. He was born in Castrovillari, Italy November 9, 1913. He traveled Europe with his parents as his father was an Italian diplomat. He was member of an old Italian family steeped in tradition in medieval times. He spoke and wrote fluently in six languages and is a distant descendant of Clement XIV, Pope of the Middle Ages. After graduating from University of Venice with an arts degree and University of Padua with a law degree he came to U.S. in 1938. He served four years in the Army and then lived on the east and west coasts. He arrived in Dallas in 1947 and established his gallery. He received many commissions to do portraits of royalty, celebrities and well known families in Dallas and around the world. He also created busts of famous local people including Everett DeGolyer Sr., Jake and Nancy Hamon, Robert Dedman, Virginia and Algur Meadows and Dean Robert G. Storey, founder of the Southwest Legal Foundation. Exhibits include Rome, where he had a studio for years, as well as Europe and seven major U.S. cities. His philosophy as an artist: “Attacking the canvas without hours of relentless research is pointless. The birth of a portrait should involve constant study, solitude, agony or passion, but never a lukewarm approach.” Survivors are cousins Luigi Mazza, Beatrice Mazza and Francisco Mazza and family of Rome. A Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Thursday January 27 and funeral Friday at noon, January 28, both at Sparkman Hillcrest. In lieu of flowers, due to Mr. Mazza’s love of teaching art, donations may be made to the SMU Renato Mazza Scholarship Fund.