Donna Franca Florio

Details

Giovanni Boldini (Italian, 1845-1931)
Donna Franca Florio
signed 'Boldini' (lower right)
oil on canvas
26½ x 21½ in. (66.8 x 54.6 cm.)
Painted circa 1921 (8)

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hills, Detroit.
Detroit Institute of Arts (gift from the above).

Literature

C.L. Ragghianti, L'Opera Completa de Boldini, Milan, 1970, p. 132, no. 575 (illustrated).

Exhibited

New York, Wildenstein & Co., A Loan Exhibition of Degas for the Benefit of the New York Infirmary, 7 April-14 May 1949, no. 38.

Lot Essay

The Florio family had an estate near Palermo called Olivuzza, a focal point for royalty, including Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, aristocracy and high ranking officials. Donna Franca was considered by Jean Philippe Worth to be the best-dressed and most beautiful woman in Italy and her husband's fortune afforded her the life of a sovereign. While Don Ignazio's enterprises included the "Marsala Florio", his other projects in Palermo resulted in the Teatro Massimo, the Hospital, and the Institute for the Blind - buildings which were worthy enough to compete with the latest government constructions in Rome, such as the Palace of Justice. Following the financial ruin of the Florio family their painting collection was sold between the years of 1927 and 1928. A full length portrait by Boldini of Donna Franca Floria, dated 1924, was sold at Christie's New York, 1 November 1995, lot 12.

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