Ref.15077
Pair of Neo-Gothic Church Pulpit Staircases in Carved Oak

Ref.14137
Italian School, 19th Century – The Sculptor’s Studio

This painting depicts an artist's studio. The sculptor, dressed in work attire, leans on a Neo-Renaissance wooden stand. Surrounded by his creations, he steps back to contemplate his latest work. The space is filled with plaster casts and terracotta sculptures of varied inspirations: Neoclassical putti, Renaissance-style tondi and reliefs, classical-style sculptures in the round... This work is a fine example of the atelier scene genre, which reached its height in the 19th century. These studio scenes were especially appreciated during that time, as they allowed viewers to witness—albeit indirectly—the creative process and imagine the environment in which the artist worked. The genre highlights the artist’s craft and the intimacy of creation. Our painting also takes on a symbolic dimension, being a work of art that reflects on the act of creation itself. Here, the artist surrounds himself with objects that inspire him or hold personal significance. Could the Persian carpet have been brought back from travels in the East? Are the masks and friezes plaster casts of antique originals? One detail is particularly intriguing: where are the sculptor's tools? The Neo-Renaissance furniture style and the inscriptions on the stretcher—“Treviso” and “Proff Barlafa”—suggest an Italian origin. Could the man portrayed be Professor Barlafa himself? The painting is monogrammed “LA” on the base of one of the sculpture stands.