George Da Maduro Peixotto

1859-1937

He studied in Paris and Dresden, winning medals for his work in both cities.

In addition to his artistic career, Peixotto was involved in diplomatic negotiations and intrigues before World War I. One of them is his role in the Turco-Italian War of 1911-12, a conflict that ended with Italy occupying territory held by the Ottoman Empire in what is today Libya.

In the summer of 1912, the New York Times announced, “American May End War; …Peixotto Taking Part in the Mysterious Negotiations,” talks which also included Czarist Russia. By October, the Times headline was “American Brought Peace in Tripoli?” The article detailed Peixotto’s efforts and included the artist’s assessment of his accomplishments: “Mr. Peixotto declares that the unofficial private efforts which occupied him since July did more to end the hostilities…than all the official diplomatic efforts….He says he has documentary evidence of this from Emperors, Kings, and Prime Ministers, and even from the Pope, whom, he says, he also interviewed during his peace peregrinations.”