Lot 98: ORAZIO ANDREONI

ORAZIO ANDREONI ITALIAN 19TH CENTURY AL MARE (AT THE SEA) signed O. ANDREONI / Roma carved Carrara marble, raised on a brèche violette marble revolving pedestal height of figure 5 ft 7 in.; height of pedestal 31 1/2 in. 170 cm; 80 cm

Alfonso Panzetta, Dizionario degli Scultori italiani, vol. I, Adarte, 2003, p. 30

Considering the profusion of marble figures and busts carved by Andreoni, it is surprising that more is not known of this enterprising sculptor. Based in Rome, Andreoni sent works for exhibition as far as Glasgow (1888) and Berlin (1892) and is believed to have been active for a time in America (a file on him is in the Smithsonian Institution Library). This exposure established his international reputation. Andreoni's expertise with the chisel is evident here in the virtuoso handling of the mother's bathing costume, her hair, the rendition of the wave breaking against the rock and most notably the expression on the child's face. Perhaps Andreoni's greatest contribution was his large workshop in Rome where a generation of sculptors received their training. Notable amongst these was Antonio Rossetti, who appended the words '...Studio O Andreoni Roma' after his signature while working there. Both teacher and pupil made a speciality of portraying figures beneath diaphanous veils to demonstrate their technical mastery of the medium. [See Panzetta, page 52, for an illustration of a photograph of Bagnante que si spoglia (Bather undressing) bearing the same chignon and somewhat similars lacework to her dress.]