Beschreibung:

Joseph Frugoni, (Italian, fl. late 19th century), a sculpted marble bust of a maiden, executed in the Mediaeval Revival taste, her serene visage looking forwards and downwards, beneath a band holding her centrally parted hair, portrayed wearing a necklace above her flower adorned decolletage, inscribed Frugoni to the reverse, 64cm high, 46cm wide Frugoni specialised in creating sculpted works in marble after the Antique, mainly busts, intended primarily for sale to wealthy northern Europeans and more latterly north Americans engaged in their Grand Tours. This commercial necessity manifested itself in his bust length versions of the Venus de Milo and his Diana, (an example of the former having sold at Leclere - Maison de Ventes in June 2014, and an example of the latter based loosely on the Diana Chasseresse having been sold at Balclis Auctions in Spain in October 2013) However, Frugoni was clearly also interested in the Mediaevalist revival of the late 19th century, his work in this taste often showing far more sensitivity and serenity than his pieces after the Antique. This softness of touch and delicate but skillful portrayal of emotion is plain to see in a sculpted white marble bust of a young Renaissance noble sold at Christie's King Street in their sale 'the Nineteenth Century Interior' in March 2001, and is of course clearly apparent in the bust of a maiden offered in this lot Condition report disclaimer