I believe this 19th century Italian gouache/watercolor was someone's Grand Tour purchase; some notations in graphite at the top of the paper seem to have recorded the date of purchase and what was paid, but it's a but hard to decipher. (I think maybe the year of purchase was 1895, though I believe the painting is likely a bit older than that.) This allegorical "baccante" (follower of Bacchus) with basket on her head (filled with grapes I believe) and staff in hand, was a popular subject, based on a fresco at Herculaneum. An excellent vehicle for painting drapery, and I especially love the bright yellow shoes on this folky iteration!
Paper 9 3/8" x 7". There is an old tear down the center, tape repaired from reverse a long time ago. For me, this one is a whole lot about patina, (now very soft old fold-lines suggest it was carried around in a pocket or tucked into a book or letter long ago) so the tear doesn't bother me a bit. Color remains strong and lovely.
You might also like
