Jan Lavezzari

Jan Lavezzari (3/January/1876 – 11/may/1947) was a gifted painter, born in Paris, France from a well known architect: Emile Lavezzari.Jan studied engineering and then moved to Berck-sur-Mer, northern France in 1900, where he decided to become a professional painter instead and settled there. Jan Lavezzari produced several oil paintings that are seemingly valuable today. He also painted murals in a few local public buildings such as 'Le Casino de la Forêt' in Touquet-Paris-Plage, the local hospital 'L'Hôpital Maritime' -built by his father- and the townhall.

Biographers record that Jan Lavezzari liked the outdoor, adventure and that he preferred the company of fishermen, who often took him out to sea. Jan Lavezzari is best known for his paintings, which generally portray sailboats. His engineering education in this maritime environment prompted him to realize that if a sail is placed horizontally, it could become a flying wing. In February 15th 1904 at the age of 27 years, he tested a double lateen sail hang glider from the Berck beach dunes. Modern hang gliders bear a remarkable resemblance to his flexible wing hang glider.

External links

G. Dilly, Curator of the "Musée de Berck". [http://www.opale-sud.com/sources/popup/musee/home.html] [http://www2c.ac-lille.fr/jlavezzari/jan_lavezzari.htm] Additional art: [http://membres.lycos.fr/cradc/peinture.htm] [http://membres.lycos.fr/cradc/peinture.htm] ----