Lot 221: An Italian Bronze Bust of Dante, after the 1921

An Italian Bronze Bust of Dante, after the 1921 original by Onorio Ruotolo (Italian/American, 1888-1966), signed "Ruotolo" on back, inscribed on side "Alma sclegnosa, benedetta colei che'n te s'incinse (Disdainful Soul, Blessed be she who bore thee in her bosom)" from The Inferno, cant 08, height 22 in., width 15 in., depth 10 1/2 in. Note: Ruotolo studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Naples before immigrating to the United States in 1908. Long involved in political and social causes, he established the Leonardo Da Vinci Art School in Manhattan in 1923 to provide free art instruction to impoverished men and women who would otherwise have had no opportunity for an art education. A sculptor of the realist academic tradition, Ruotolo produced sculptures of many historical figures from art and politics, including his 1921 bust of Dante. Reference: Sciorra and Vellon. "Bringing Art to the People". A&I Review. April 4, 2004.