Clarence R. Mattei (November 13, 1883 – April 2, 1945) was an American portrait painter.

Clarence R. Mattei
Born(1883-11-13)November 13, 1883
DiedApril 2, 1945(1945-04-02) (aged 61)
OccupationPainter
SpouseMerle Wilhoit

Life

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Mattei was born on November 13, 1883, in San Luis Obispo County, California.[1][2] His father Felix was an immigrant from Switzerland who first managed a hotel in Cayucos before founding Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos.[1][2] Mattei was trained in Paris.[2]

Mattei became an oil painter as well as a black and white sketcher, with studios in New York and in Santa Barbara, California.[2] Over the course of his career, he did hundreds of portraits.[1]

Mattei married Merle Wilhoit. He died on April 2, 1945, in Santa Barbara, at age 61.[1][2][3] His work can be seen at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.[4]

Further reading

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  • Graffy De Gracia, Erin (2004). Portraits of a Community: The Art of Clarence Mattei. Santa Barbara, California: Santa Barbara Historical Society.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Funeral Rites For Noted Artist". Santa Maria Times. April 5, 1945. p. 8. Retrieved July 11, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Clarence Mattei Laid To Rest In Valley Cemetery". Santa Ynez Valley News. April 6, 1945. p. 1. Retrieved July 11, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Portrait Painter Dies". The Los Angeles Times. April 4, 1945. p. 10. Retrieved July 11, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Collection Overview". Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Retrieved July 11, 2020.