A GULF-Front MASTERPIECE
By Patricia Canole
Are you ready to wake each day in paradise? Welcome to Captiva Island. Located in Southwest Florida off the Gulf of Mexico, this barrier island provides many excellent opportunities to experience life at its best. You’ll be in awe of the island’s many nature trails and habitats, and glorious sunsets. There are miles of magnificent beaches offering hours of sunbathing, boating, fishing, shelling and, oh yes, swimming (maybe with dolphins?).
Captiva Island has also been a favorite of many in the creative arts: Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote her best-selling A Gift From the Seas during her stay on the island. Robert Rauschenberg is another fine example of the artistic spirit who made his home on Captiva. Rauschenberg, who died in 2008, became well known for his modern works seen the world over. In fact, his works are contemporaneous with that of Andy Warhol. He’s also been cited as a forerunner of American Pop Art along with Jasper Johns.
Robert Rauschenberg’s home on Captiva was designed by his partner and assistant, Darryl Pottorf. He told us that he designed it specifically to Bob’s taste and created a setting that would accommodate his art and lifestyle. “Captiva Island provided an environment that reinvigorated Bob’s life and art. When Bob first came to Captiva, he was surrounded by butterflies…and knew then at that moment the island was for him.
Rauschenberg’s enthusiasm for pop culture led him to search for a new way of painting. He found it by embracing materials traditionally outside of an artist’s reach. Rauschenberg often covered a canvas with house paint, or ink the wheel of a car and run it over a paper to create a drawing, while still demonstrating a concern for formal painting. In the 1950s he changed the world of art with the introduction of his “combines” and cemented his place in art history. His most famous “combine” entitled Monogram featured a stuffed Angora goat with a tire around his middle and paint on his forehead—all placed on a platform which the artist referred to as a “garden.” The idea of combining and of noticing combinations of objects and images has remained at the core of Rauschenberg’s work.
When the house was transferred to Darryl, he did make some improvements but did not make changes that would affect Bob’s spirit in the design. However, his decision to sell the home did not come easy. “I found the island lonely without Bob,” Darryl said. “I still expect to see Bob greeting me with a big smile and ready to have a great time working, dining, or just talking about life.”
The home reflects the beautiful surroundings and provides the ultimate in relaxation and privacy. Unexpected surprises like the views of the Gulf of Mexico from every angle, a beautiful Brazilian wood staircase, polished Corian floors throughout the home, a private elevator, and a gourmet kitchen are just a few of the highlights. With two master suites and private balconies, it’s a dream come true.
Darryl’s hope is that the new owner will continue to have the same joy and love for the island and find it as peaceful and energizing as Bob did. Darryl also believes that Bob’s spirit and impact on the beautiful island won’t be lost. The Rauschenberg Foundation has established an incredible Artist in Residency program on the Rauschenberg Foundation compound. The program uses all the facilities and focuses on Bob’s belief that “art can change the world.” By fulfilling Bob’s wish to establish a residency program his foundation has ensured that Bob’s legacy will indeed continue on Captiva Island—and the world.
For more information on this property, contact Holly Peeples at VIP Realty Group, Inc. (866-472-7800; hollybell@prodigy.net).
