2778 - Cesare Lapini (1848, Florence – c. 1910, ibid.)

Cesare Lapini (1848, Florence – c. 1910, ibid.) "Quanto ti vo bene!...". Original title White Carrara marble. Titled, signed, and dated 1881 with the location “Firenze” (Florence). A fully three-dimensional depiction of an Italian shepherd boy in traditional dress, holding a staff across his shoulders, his head tilted lovingly to one side. Earliest known version of the sculpture, which he subsequently repeated several times. Cesare Lapini, born in Florence, became one of the most important sculptors of his generation. He created marble works, including allegorical and mythological depictions, copies of ancient models, genre scenes, portrait busts, portraits of female beauties, more or less clothed nudes, figures of Venus, etc.; He sold these sculptures with great success, along with works by his contemporaries, in his gallery in Florence to travelers on the Grand Tour, which—having been limited to the nobility in the 18th century—now also included the wealthy middle class from Great Britain, Germany, Russia, France, and, of course, the United States. In 1884, Lapini exhibited a series of sculptures at the “Esposizione Generale Italiana” in Turin; in 1888, he also presented his works in Rome; in 1893 at the World’s Fair in Chicago; in 1900 at the World’s Fair in Paris, and in 1904 in St. Louis. Lapini was highly regarded for the delicacy and sophistication of his technique, the subtle surface treatment, and the emotional expressiveness of his figurative works. Minimally restored; H. 83 cm. White Carrara marble sculpture of a young Italian shepherd boy holding a staff on his shoulders. Titled, signed, and dated 1881 with the location “Firenze” (Florence). Minor chips.