15 Facts About Leo Politi

Atiglio Leoni Politi was an American artist and author who wrote and illustrated some 20 children's books, as well as Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, intended for adults.

Leo Politi was placed in a boarding home with an elderly woman and her daughter.

Leo Politi loved Broni, a deep affection that remained for the rest of his life.

Leo Politi devoured everything that London had to offer a boy.

Leo Politi wandered through the city's museums to view the works of Vincent van Gogh and other masters.

Leo Politi sketched the things that he saw and small stories began to bubble up within him.

Leo Politi was attracted to the Mayan culture of the region and developed a palette that served as his core of colors throughout the 1930s and '40s.

Leo Politi's training was modern as opposed to academic; it tended to develop originality rather than subservient to the art forms of bygone eras.

Leo Politi arrived in Los Angeles, California, in October 1931 and two years later he married Helen Fontes.

Leo Politi began sketching and painting from a regular spot on Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles, where he sketched tourists and sold drawings alongside potters, weavers and other artisans-in-residence.

Leo Politi painted a mural on Olvera Street "The Blessing of the Animals", where he depicted a tradition of Catholicism in remembrance of St Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures.

Leo Politi focused on Mexican pueblo scenes, religious ceremonies and customs, dancers and mischievous children.

Leo Politi's exhibits included the watercolor "Peons Asleep" and his sculpture "Mother and Child" at the Awards for the Ninth annual Exhibition of Southern California Art in 1937 in San Diego, California.

Leo Politi illustrated The Least One by Ruth Sawyer in 1941, Aqui se Habla Espanol by Margarita Lopez and Esther Brown in 1942 and Angelo, the Naughty One by Helen Garrett in 1944.

In 1966 Leo Politi was the recipient of this distinguished award.