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BORN
1946
DIED
2017
Robert Dente Obituary
Robert Dente, painter, sculptor and graphic artist passed away on March 20, 2017 at his home in West Hartford. He was born in Waterbury CT on October 21, 1946. He was a magna cum laude graduate of the Hartford Art School of the University of Hartford and continued his studies at the Hartford Graduate Center and the Barbieri Centre in Rome Italy. A frequent solo exhibitor, he was best known for his atmospheric landscapes that evoked a sense of timelessness, expansive space, and a wealth of emotional responses. Over the past four decades he had been invited by the U.S. Department of State to exhibit his works in several traveling exhibitions throughout Brazil, Mexico and Italy. He was the recipient of a number of prestigious awards, including two Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. His artwork is in the collections of the Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, The William Benton Museum, Storrs, and the United States Embassy in Rome as well as in many private collections. He leaves behind his loving wife, Linda, daughter Kimberly Powell, granddaughter Kinley Powell of Summerfield, FL and a close extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. No funeral services are planned. He asks that you "exalt in nature, support the arts, and dance your dance".
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Dente
Sponsored by the family.
James Baker
March 18, 2020
Earlier this week Id revisited Bobs stunning black and white monoprints. His work continues to be relevant and inspirational. The mystery and grandeur of his Italian landscapes remain a highlight among his many accomplishments.
Richard Prieur
April 5, 2019
To the family,
My wige and I met Mr Dente and his wife Linda in Taormina, Italy in October 2005. We came out of the train station and took a taxi together to separate hotels. We din not know each other but chat a lot in the car. Later that night, we met again by accident in a restaurant and eat together. I was under the charm of this nice man and (I found out later) great artist. We visit his expo in Palermo I think and met again his lovely wife Linda in that city. She told us to stop by a great restaurant in Monreale, close to the cathedral with the great Pantecristor. The other day, I found the catalog of his expo, I spent hours looking at those wonderful landscapes, went to the web and found out that Mr Dente has passed away. Sadness. Life is not full of those marvelous encounters. But thankful to have met this nice man.
Richard Prieur, Montréal, Québec
Felecia Kulak
March 18, 2019
Bob,
I always remember you as a very kind man. Wish I could have seen you again before you passed . Your memory will always be cherished and remembered by me and your beautiful artwork.
Love your cousin,
Felecia
C. Russell Vermilyea
November 7, 2017
I liked Bob. And, my condolences to Linda.
Joan Gabriele
March 28, 2017
Bob was a visual poet, a philosopher, a great cook and nurturing, complex soul. His art was transcendent, his humor witty and wicked. Sitting in the pink and culinarily tricked out Dente kitchen yakking, drinking, eating and laughing was always a sublime highlight of my visits to Connecticut.
Sending love and peace to Bob's loved ones.
Joan
Ken Bernacky
March 28, 2017
My condolences on your loss. Robert was one of the most interesting people that I've had the pleasure of meeting. I'm shocked and saddened to learn of this, his kindness and love will live on through us.
Tutti Insieme, Oil Monotype learned: To Dente
Donna Frustere
March 27, 2017
Robbin Zella
March 26, 2017
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved husband and best friend. The love and memories will be with you always. Much love, Robbin
Lisa Boyne
March 26, 2017
Uncle Bob will be dearly missed. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you Aunt Linda. Love Lisa, Kirsten & Tyler
Maria and Dick Bellemare
March 25, 2017
Rest in peace dear friend.
James Baker
March 25, 2017
Dear Linda and family,
Much sympathy. Bob was a gifted and complex artist who made the most of his talent. As a fellow painter, I envied his mastery, his drive and his generous spirit. He will continue to be an inspiration.
Joe Magdol
March 24, 2017
Bob was just an all-around really good guy, and he and Linda were wonderful neighbors for 11 years! I have fond memories.
BRIAN MCDONALD
March 24, 2017
I had not seen Bob in more then 20 years. Always loved seeing his art wherever it was being displayed in Connecticut.
I was as much in awe of his talent as a kind, loving and intelligent human being as his talent as an artist.
Many years ago I was having problems with my faith. And he would meet me at a diner to discuss it. I will never forget that generosity of spirit.
He surely left this world a better place for his having been here.
Felecia Kulak
March 24, 2017
what a talented man and cousin wish I could have
seen him again!
March 24, 2017
Robert was so unique, compassionate, intelligent, complex, pensive, such a loyal friend, a great conversationalist and a great cook. What I remember most is how much he admired his wife Linda.
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