John Clem Clarke: Weaver of Lost Masterpieces The SoHo art scene of the 1970s was a crucible, forging a unique aesthetic from the detritus of consumer culture and the echoes of artistic tradition. Within this vibrant landscape emerged John Clem Clarke (June 6, 1937 – June 5, 2021), an American painter and graphic artist who didn’t simply replicate the past; he interrogated it, re-imagined it, and imbued it with a distinctly modern sensibility. Clarke wasn't interested in faithful reproduction; instead, he sought to distill the essence of iconic paintings – from Renaissance masters to 19th-c…