I found this 19th century watercolor at a treasure trove of a shop in Cohoes, NY and it just called to me--perhaps for feeling aptly somber for the moment we are living in (though he's got a hopeful feeling pink flush to his cheeks); and certainly also because I love his extremely wide brimmed hat! (Called a Cappello Romano,or Saturno, I believe) Along the bottom edge of the reverse side handwritten in graphite is "Monaco Jesuita"--Monaco Jesuit. As I understand it, Italian Jesuits, expelled from Piedmont, were invited to Monaco by Prince Charles III, establishing a college there in 1862. I believe this watercolor dates to around that time, quite likely painted after an engraving--though I have not turned up another image of a Jesuit with quite as widely brimmed hat as this one!
15" x 9 1/2". Image area 8" x 6". Watercolor on wove, beautiful antique condition, very finely done, crisp and bright. Minor stain along very top edge of paper.
You might also like
