A WHITE MARBLE STATUE OF A YOUNG WOMAN CROSSING A STREAM

by Raffaello Romanelli, Italian, 1856 to 1928

The present work is signed Prof. R. Romanelli. Firenze.

This work is post classical in style and a good example of the sculpture he
was producing in his later Romantic period. The quality of detail
(particularly the costume) , the elegance of portrayal and depth of carving
and the treatment of the water in the stream all display the accomplished
hand of a master sculptor. A superb marble sculpture totally unrestored and
in fine condition.

Price: upon application

This work can be seen at the NEC, Birmingham, November 1998. For more
details see: http://www.bathgreen11.freeserve.co.uk/intaglio.htm

Raffaello Romaanelli was born on I3th May 1856 in Florence. He was the son
and student of Pasquale Romanelli (1812-1887) a follower of the classical
school of sculpture, who studied with Bartolini and whose works include
statues carved for the exterior of the Uffizi in Florence. Raffaello studied
at the Academia di Belle Arti in Florence under Augusto Rivalta but
travelled to Rome in 1880 to study sculpture, having received the Pensionata
Nazionale Award for his work on theme of The Possessed Man Throwing Himself
at the Feet of Christ. He returned to his native Florence in the mid 1880's
where he established himself in his father's studio, as a sculptor of busts,
medallions and bas relief. He received many commissions for portrait busts
and for several monuments, amongst those which stand out are his monument to
Garibaldi of 1886, Donatello in 1896 for San Lorenzo, Cosimo Rididolfi in
1896 for Florence and Carlo Alberto in l900 in Rome. In the early 1900's he
moved away from Classic Realism. gravitating towards the style of the
Liberty or Art Nouveau style which afforded him a greater sense of freedom
in his work in subject and treatment.

Romanelli reciived many lnternational commissions for his work and was
particularly popular with American collectors. His work can be found in many
parts of the world including a monument to General Martin in Caracas, and a
monument to Demidoff in Kiev. He won the competition for the commission of
the Monument to the Boer General Botha, but unable to produce work due to
poor health, the work was finally completed by his son Romano.

He became a Professor of the Acadamia Belle Arti in Florence and
participated in the development of fine art in Turin from 1880. In 1888 he
exhibited his marble sculpture entitled Jacob and Rachel at the Salon Des
Beaux Arts which was admired by the critics for its fine quality of carving.
Examples of his work can be seen in the Gallery of National Art in Rome,
which has his portrait of Princess Borghese in its permanent collection and
in the Florence Academy which has his bust of Muzio Scevola in plaster.

Literature: Alfonso Panzetta: Dizionario Degli Scultore, Italiani Dell'
Ottocento, Umberti Allemandi & Cie, 1994

E Benezit: Dictionnaire Des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs, et Graveurs
(vol 7)