33 - Oval-shaped exposed micro-mosaic depicting a shepherd and his dog. Set into a black marble panel outlined with a malachite border. Wooden frame with gilded stucco.

Oval-shaped exposed micro-mosaic depicting a shepherd and his dog. Set into a black marble panel outlined with a malachite border. Wooden frame with gilded stucco. 13.3 x 20.7 cm (frame: 31.5 x 39.5 cm) Note: Roman micromosaics experienced remarkable growth in the 19th century, largely thanks to specialized workshops such as those run by the Raffaelli and Roccheggiani families, who helped popularize this art form among European travelers. Beyond architectural views, scenes of Italian rural life offered collectors a more intimate glimpse of the peninsula. This composition depicting a shepherd and his dog is of particular interest due to its association with the previous micromosaic: both feature an oval format, a black marble frame with a malachite border, and nearly identical dimensions, suggesting they were designed as a pair.