La Vanerella (The Vanity of Youth)

The works of Francesco Barzaghi (d. 1892) at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia were extraordinarily described as ‘pure and elevating’, and the present work, titled La Vanarella, is no less a testament to the artist’s prowess as a virtuoso sculptor. Known for his adept and exceptionally realistic carving of drapery, jewelry and other finite details, Barzaghi was a frequent exhibitor at the international exhibitions and always to great acclaim. Like his contemporaries, Barzaghi progressed from biblical or allegorical subjects to depictions of childhood innocence, as in the subject of the present lot which depicts a young girl playing dress-up. Another example of La Vanerella is presently at the Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret de Nice, France. A further version sold Christie’s, New York, 16 April 2015, lot 59 ($167,000).