Wally Findlay Galleries is proud to present the Premiere Exhibition of artist Michael Vollbracht

MICHAEL VOLLBRACHT: Ladies and Gentle Beasts Premiere Palm Beach Exhibition to benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County Opening Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

Palm Beach, FL- Wally Findlay Galleries is proud to present the Premiere Exhibition of artist Michael Vollbracht to Palm Beach. An accomplished artist, with paintings in many notable public and private collections, a distinguished fashion designer (Geoffrey Beene, Donald Brooks, Henri Bendel, Bill Blass), published author and an international illustrator, Vollbracht is a modern day Renaissance man. The exhibition, “Ladies and Gentle Beasts” illustrates Michael’s ability to convey the exotic and mysterious with charm and wit. Michael’s paintings draw upon his diverse background in fashion design and illustration, revealing a masterful use of the palette knife to explore the human figure with eloquence and an eye for the irreverent.

Michael Vollbracht, began his career in 1965 at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. In 1969, Geoffrey Beene selected Michael to become a member of his design team and in 1971, Donald Brooks hired him to work under his label as the designer for Boutique Donald Brooks. Afterwards, Michael joined Henri Bendel in 1973 as their in-house illustrator. In 1975, Vollbracht began illustrating Bloomingdale's store advertisements and their now iconic shopping bag. It bore his sketch and name- but not the stores name- it made him a sensation. In 1979, he launched Michael Vollbracht Ltd and in 1999 Michael's great friend and mentor Bill Blass called on him to work with him on "Bill Blass: An American Designer" the retrospective exhibition of Blass' career. When Blass died in 2002, Vollbracht was appointed Artistic Director of Bill Blass Ltd. After achieving the critical acclaim that Michael envisioned for Bill Blass Ltd., he decided to follow his passion and devote the next phase of his career to painting.

Wally Findlay Galleries, Chairman and CEO James R. Borynack, who also Chairs the National Hospice Foundations Board of Trustees, specifically chose the exhibition to benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County based on Volbrachts previous contributions to Hospice of Palm Beach County. “Michael’s Blass background connected him to Hospice of Palm Beach County, with his Fashion Show presentations at the Hospice Evening Benefits. It was only natural that the exhibit benefit the Hospice of Palm Beach.” A portion of the proceeds will go to Hospice of Palm Beach County.

Wally Findlay Galleries International
165 Worth Ave
Palm Beach, FL 33480

Angelica Ruiz
Angelicaruiz@wallyfindlay.com

Wally Findlay Galleries’ 137-year history has naturally reflected the various “schools” of art of each period, from Impressionist during the 1870’s to Fauvism in the early 20th Century, through subsequent contemporary movements. Besides specializing in French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masters, the gallery has developed a group of distinguished contemporary artists worldwide. Wally Findlay Galleries is considered one of the foremost authorities on the French School of Rouen. With locations in Palm Beach, Manhattan, Beverly Hills and most recently Barcelona, the galleries have a rich tradition of showing and selling art to prominent society figures.

This release was published on openPR.