Russian Icon Painting of Ascension of Jesus (ca. 1845)
12 1/8 by 14 1/8 in, oil on wood panel

No one ever said that a secular humanist could not appreciate and collect examples of art depicting religious subjects. Russian Icon Painting of Jesus holding the Old Testament, from a historian’s collection. This early 19th century Icon depicts “The

Ascension of Humanity to Divinity” or “The ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Measuring 1″ thick, this early icon retains the original mortice braces at the top and bottom. The boards are slightly shrunken, and the braces stick out a bit on either side. There is also wear and craquelure to the original gold gilding plus some in-painting of the blue clouds under the three angles and some in-painting of the gold gilt in the top two corners.

Russian Icon Painting of Madonna and Baby Jesus (ca. 1875)
7 x 8 ¾ in, oil on wood panel with silver oklad/riza (cut-out trim)

No one ever said that a secular humanist could not appreciate and collect examples of art depicting religious subjects. Russian Icon Painting of Jesus holding the Old Testament, from a historian’s collection. This 19th-century Russian Icon still retains its original Silver Oklad.

Genie (1956)
by Peter Macchiarini (1909-2001)
24 x 30 in, Limited edition #19 of #25 signed by Peter Macchiarini lithograph reproduction printed on archival handmade paper from the original drawing.
Coppola Collection

From Danny: While my father was mainly a metal artist, he constantly did sketches and in the 1950’s a series of major graphic drawings using a black crayon pencil.  He did 13 different designs in this series which he felt were so important that he had them reproduced in a limited edition of 25 each which he sign in mid 1990’s much later in his life.

This drawing was his response to the nuclear tests that were going on at the time, mid-century, by the US, USSR and other newly arrived atomic powers.  The title of this graphic combined with the image says it all, “Genie”, as in “Genie out of the Bottle.”

“Samurai Monkey King” (2023)
By Daniel Macchiarini (1954 -)
22 x 30 in, mixed metal with cabochon, minerals
Coppola Collection

I first met Danny in the early 1990s. His studio at the time was at the end of a long hallway, and over the door was a giant metal monkey mask – All Hail the Monkey King. I always wanted that monkey. And it only took me a few decades to figure out that I could commission one from him. Duh.

Inspired by my own interests in Asian art and culture, he developed this version of the Monkey King with a classic samurai brow. He volunteered to keep it and give me the original – and I tell you that was tempting.

“Ice Cream Bot” (2023)
by Lauren Briere (1985-)
10 x 8 in., oil on wood
Coppola Collection

From the talented imagination of Lauren Briere. Her prints are popular, and the originals pop up at the (terrific) “Austin Art Garage” (good online, but lots more fun in person).

This is one of 4 Briere robot paintings that I own and that hang in a part of my house called “robot corner” (see the additional images in the CAF link under Max Grundy’s Super Sentinel). According to her bio: Lauren Briere watches too many movies and eats popcorn as a meal too often. She grew up in Wrentham, MA and got her BFA in illustration from MassArt in Boston. She works from Austin, TX now and runs multiple projects from home. Her professional artists resume consists of work ranging from children’s book illustration, animated music videos and quirky painting series made for her own amusement. She sells originals and prints through the Austin Art Garage (a great source for art).

“Tibetan Native People and Baby” (1985)
by Christopher Zhang (1954-)
16 x 20 in., oil on canvas
Coppola Collection

Christopher Zhang was born in Shanghai, China and studied art in China as well as the United States. He specializes in portraits and landscapes and works in both oil and watercolor.

“Tibetan Native Women Talking” (1985)
by Christopher Zhang (1954-)
16 x 20 in., oil on canvas
Coppola Collection

Christopher Zhang was born in Shanghai, China and studied art in China as well as the United States. He specializes in portraits and landscapes and works in both oil and watercolor.

“Tibetan Native Woman” (1985)
by Christopher Zhang (1954-)
16 x 20 in., oil on canvas
Coppola Collection

Christopher Zhang was born in Shanghai, China and studied art in China as well as the United States. He specializes in portraits and landscapes and works in both oil and watercolor.

“A Lady of The Duffield Family”
by Grace Cruikshank (ca. 1842-1894)
Measures 4 3/8 x 5 ¾, under slightly convex glass in a 5 x 6 ¾ gilded brass ormolu frame. Watercolor on ivory
Coppola Collection

Painted by the English miniaturist Grace Cruikshank. The beautiful woman depicted was identified by an inscription on the back as “A Lady of The Duffield Family.” This woman is shown wearing a white gown with pearls in her hair and a blue sapphire brooch at her chest.

Grace Cruickshank was the daughter of the miniaturist Frederick Cruickshank (1800-1868). She exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts from 1860-1894.