François Nardi

François Nardi (7 December 1861, Nice – 28 November 1936, Toulon) was a French painter of Italian heritage who specialized in maritime scenes.

There, he was noticed by Frédéric Montenard, the noted Provençal painter, who was impressed with his work and encouraged him to study in Paris.

He was especially supportive of foreign artists studying in France, such as Emanuel Phillips Fox, E. Irving Couse and Umberto Veruda.

In 1891, upon the recommendation of Montenard, he accepted the well-known Brazilian painter Giovanni Battista Castagneto as a student, showing him how to brighten his palette and paint maritime subjects.

Retiring to Toulon, he lost all interest in his old associates, exhibitions and honors of any sort, although he continued to paint and give art lessons to a few selected students.