Jacob Vincent Manguno

Jacob Vincent Manguno passed away on Sunday, May 7 at the age of 92. He lived his entire life in New Orleans, in New Orleans fashion. He was born in 1925 and attended Holy Cross High school until the age of seventeen when he enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps. His cadet training took him to San Antonio, Texas and Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, after which he was assigned to the Air Transport Command in Baracpore, India. He was a crew member on numerous flight missions over “The Hump,” crossing the Himalayas from India to Kunming, China until 1946. His flight jacket and other effects are now part of the permanent collection of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. After his tour of duty, Mr. Manguno returned to New Orleans and enrolled in the New Orleans Academy of Art, located at Orleans and Dauphine Streets in the French Quarter. He studied painting with Clarence Millet, an associate of the National Academy of Design, and with noted American regionalist John McCrady and modernist Leonard Flettrich. Mr. Manguno was president of the first graduating class of the Academy in 1949, and continued his friendships with these important New Orleans painters throughout their lives. Following his graduation, he continued to paint and exhibit his art, also becoming a notable commercial artist. He worked in advertising and became president of the Art Directors and Designers Association of New Orleans. He won numerous awards and became widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost corporate designers, creating ads and designs for businesses such as Pan-American Life Insurance and United Fruit Company. In 1972, Mr. Manguno began a new career as a fine art dealer, opening the Mann Gallery on Chartres Street in the French Quarter. In 1978, the French government awarded him the prestigious L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres medal of honor in recognition of his achievements in introducing French artworks to collectors and museums in the United States. Mr. Manguno maintained the practice of his own art, with exhibitions held locally and nationally, and is represented in the permanent collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art. His portrait of Crawford Ellis, founder of Pan American Life, hangs in the Founders’ Room of the New Orleans Country Club. He continued to paint steadily until his death, and his paintings have been acquired and enjoyed by collectors all over the world. Mr. Manguno was preceded in death by his parents Jacob Vincent Manguno Sr. and Kathlyn Manguno (née Babin); a brother Joseph O. Manguno; and a nephew Joe Manguno. He leaves behind two daughters, Gianna Manguno and Marin (Jody) Manguno Sullivan and their mother, Mary Jeanne Manguno; cousins Larry Manguno and Merle Manguno Curtis; niece Catherine Manguno Hagner, and nephews Dale, Jeffrey and Michael Manguno. Services will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Friday, May 12 at 12:00 pm preceded by a visitation from 10:30 – noon, and followed by a reception from 2-4 pm at the Vincent Mann Gallery, 305 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National World War II Museum – Charitable Contributions (945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 - 504.528.1944 x 290) or Volunteers of America - Veteran’s Services (4152 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 - 504.482.2130)