Lot 109: w - FRANCESCO BARZAGHI ITALIAN, 1839-1892

THE LITTLE FISHERBOY

THE LITTLE FISHERBOY

measurements note
104cm., 41in.

signed: F. BARZAGHI fece / Milano

white marble

NOTE

Barzaghi was a key figure in the Scapiglatura movement in Milan and was amongst the most accomplished craftsmen of his generation in the art of carving marble. He was able to achieve exceptionally fine detail consistent with his general verismo approach, while maintaining a vibrancy and vitality in his anatomy. The Little Fisherboy shows this dexterity in the extraordinary rendering of the fishing net which hangs over his right arm and gathers between his feet and the animated gesture formed by the tilt of the head and upward gazing eyes. The medallion around the boy's neck, overlying the collar and the deeply undercut shirt and sleeves, appear effortlessly lifelike. The Little Fisherboy relates closely to Barzaghi's Fanciullo a cavall di una scopa of 1875 (Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Palazzo Pitti) and Il primo amico of 1868 (Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Milan), both depicting young children of similar size.

RELATED LITERATURE
Panzetta, vol.2, p.22; Caramel & Pirovano, vol.1, no.81; Vicario, pp.88-97