Saltimbanca (Acrobat and her monkey)

Having studied in Piacenza, Parma and Genoa, Astorri eventually settled in Milan where he opened and studio and began exhibiting in 1886. Unlike his contempories, whose works often depicted mythical and historical scenes, Astorri had a keen eye for the quotidian world around him and often captured local characters engaged in everday tasks, including a spazzacamino, a child chimney-sweep, which was cast in bronze (see A. Panzetta, Dizionario degli scultori italiani dell’ottocento e del primo novocento, Torino, 1994, vol. ii, p.15, pl. 40) and a street musician, the model in marble sold Christie's, New York, 24 October 2006, lot 369 ($36,000). This attention to society's varied personalities is also clearly seen in the present lot, where with great sensitivity the artist depicts the slightly mischievous saltimbanca (street acrobat) and her monkey, caught in a silent moment as they presumably wait for their next audience. Recognized for his talent, Astorri was awarded the gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition for his work La Fileuse Arabe, sold Christie's, London, 17 March 2011, lot 239 (£97,250 including premium). Many of his sculptures are now preserved in the Museo de Piacenza and the Museo Civico Revoltella in Trieste.