Past Exhibitions

For over forty-three years, David Ligare has ardently pushed beyond the confines of contemporary art, seeking to reintroduce historical perspectives into our cultural narrative. David Ligare: Spheres of Influence showcases the artist's exploration of classicism, revealing an eternal phenomenon that marries intellectual pursuits with the transcendent beauty of nature in radiant light. At the core of Ligare's works are reflections on whole systems and enduring truths. For example, his painting Magna Fide (The Great Belief) was deeply influenced by his experiences in Florence, Italy, and pays homage to historical figures like Leon Battista Alberti and Arnold Böcklin, demonstrating the artist's profound appreciation for the wisdom of the past. Ligare's art serves as a bridge between tradition and innovation, urging us to embrace history as a wellspring of inspiration and insight.

About the Artist

David Ligare was born in Oak Park, Illinois, but grew up in Southern California and was educated at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. His first solo exhibition was in New York in 1969, and since then he has shown regularly in New York, Los Angeles, London, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Rome, and elsewhere. He was given a retrospective exhibition at the Crocker Art Museum in 2015.

Support for this exhibition provided by Susan DuCoeur, Laura and John Gamble, Weezie and David Reese, and Robin and Chris Sawyer

Special thanks to Winfield Gallery.

Image: David Ligare (b. 1945), Magna Fide (The Great Belief), 2014, oil on canvas, 60 x 80 in. Collection Monterey Museum of Art. Museum Purchase in honor of David Ligare's 75th birthday, with additional funds provided by Judy and Tom Archibald, Elizabeth Barlow and Stephen McClellan, Linda and David Keaton, Sally Lucas, Judith and Frank Marshall, and Lila and James Thorsen, 2020.008. © David Ligare