145 - A follower of FERDINANDO DE LUCA (19th–20th centuries).

A follower of FERDINANDO DE LUCA (19th–20th centuries). “Seated Woman.” Bronze. Measurements: 68 x 30 x 30 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. The bronze sculpture now up for auction evokes the refinement and sophistication of the Belle Époque, an era in which feminine beauty became a symbol of modernity, freedom, and distinction. The work depicts a young woman with delicate features and harmonious proportions, striking a carefree pose as she rests on a metal-framed seat adorned with floral ornamentation. The naturalness of her posture, the soft modeling of her forms, and the delicate interplay of curves lend the composition a captivating grace and dynamism. Ferdinando de Luca was an Italian sculptor active from the late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, known for his production of ornamental bronze sculptures in the Modernist and Art Deco styles. His work is characterized by an interest in the human figure—especially the female form—as well as by elegant compositions, naturalistic modeling, and decorative refinement. Among the pieces marketed under his name are female figures of Orientalist inspiration, young women in sensual poses, mythological scenes, and allegorical compositions. His sculptures reflect the tastes of the Belle Époque and the interwar period, when decorative bronze took on a prominent role in bourgeois interiors.