Lot 39: GIUSEPPE GABANI (ITALIAN, 1846-1900) Arab warriors at full charge

GIUSEPPE GABANI (ITALIAN, 1846-1900)
Arab warriors at full charge
signed and inscribed ‘G. Gabani/ Roma’ (lower right)
oil on canvas
26 x 59 1/2in (66 x 151cm)
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Giuseppe Gabani was born in Senigallia, on the Adriatic Coast, in 1846. He studied at the Accademia San Luca in Rome with the orientalist painter Cesare Maccari and, although he is most notable for his historical and landscape paintings, he painted many Orientalist subjects which depict Arab horses, as shown in the present picture. At the height of his career he became famous for his painting Count Baratieri at the head of his regiment, 24 June 1866, that shows a scene from the Italian struggle for independence. Gabani served in the army between 1866 and 1870 with the IV Cavalry. Later, he worked alongside Emmanuele Brugnoli at the ceiling of the Teatro Costanzi, now the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome and continued to exhibit paintings not only in Italy but also in Berlin. He was awarded a silver medal for his work at an exhibition in Melbourne. Despite his successful career he died in poverty in Rome on 12 October 1900.