Argentinean tango accordion player (2001) Painting by Michelangelo Verso

MARION FERNHOUT, born in the Netherlands, began drawing and painting aquarelles when she was a child. During the 1950’s, she began taking private lessons from the Dutch master painter, Henk Koekkkoek. In 1957, Marion travelled to Mexico and married Italian lyric tenor Michelangelo Verso. She began accompanying her husband on his tours throughout the Americas.

Having previously studied music and dancing, she learned to sing in different languages. Marion accompanied herself on the guitar and ukulele. Under the guidance of her husband, she perfected her musical talents, and within a brief time, began singing in several theatres and clubs of the era. She, and her husband, also sang on radio and television programs, to enthusiast audiences throughout South America.

In 1961, Marion and Michelangelo returned to Europe. They settled in Italy, where she continued her artistic activities as a soubrette singing, dancing and acting in various theatrical productions touring throughout Italy. Marion was featured in shows and revues produced by well-known artistic companies of the period, including Nino Lembo, Lino Crispo, O’Brien, Gennarino Vollarò, Raffles, Lola Gracy, Bonetti, Los Brutos etc.
Marion returned to her homeland of Holland towards the end of the 1960’s. During the following five years, she continued sharing her love of singing and entertainment with the public. Gradually, Marion, now a mother, began a new career utilizing her multilingual skills by becoming a freelance interpreter of the Dutch, Italian and Spanish languages for the court of Amsterdam, translating for attorneys and judges.

During that same period, Marion resumed the passion for drawing and painting that she had temporarily set aside, but never forgotten, years before. She commenced formal study and in 1978 she earned her diploma from the School of Drawing and Painting (“Ecole de Dessin et Peinture”) of Paris.

Marion produced many paintings and gouaches with great passion. In 1977 she joined the prestigious Association “The Sunday Painters” of Amsterdam to have the opportunity to study and paint a variety of models, still life compositions and landscapes. Marion acquired additional skills and experience. She met and painted with famous Dutch master painters including Maarten Krabbé, Toon de Haas and Jan Frenken. Marion participated in the art association for more than 28 years. In 2002 she received the distinction of honorary member.
Marion drew and painted in the impressionist style: flowers, landscapes, still life compositions, and models in aquarelle, gouache, pastel, oil or with mixed techniques. Her favourite painters were Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gaugin. During her later years, she often painted fantasy scenes.
Marion described her art and talents as follows:

"My paintings don’t have a particular message. I paint because I simply like the object or, in the case of my fantasy paintings, because during that moment I feel an inspiration. When I paint, I f...

• Nationality: NETHERLANDS
• Date of birth : 1930
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary Dutch Artists