1880 - 1889 - XIX

GAM1553

Unità di misura: cm; Altezza: 48.5; Larghezza: 33.5

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In the refined and mischievous "Fanciulla abruzzese", datable to the 1880s because of the decadent tone that connotes it, Francesco Paolo Michetti carefully describes the little girl's face, her delicate complexion, the dishevelled locks of hair that partly cover her forehead, her earrings, their reflections on the necklace of crosses and seeds, her white dress and the small bouquet of small wild flowers; all of which are further emphasised by the dark green of the background vegetation. This is a recurring figure in the works of the Abruzzese artist, who was a friend and protector of D'Annunzio, illustrator of his tragedies, and animator of a cultured coterie of artists, men of letters and musicians in his home-atelier at the Conventino in Francavilla sul Mare. It is difficult to identify the girl depicted, although young figures very similar to this one appear in other works by Michetti. The material preciousness of the work is well matched by the decorative richness of the frame that frames it, richly carved with scrolls and foliage and with four cartouches with lozenge motifs in the centre of the sides, characteristic of mid-18th century French decoration. Rectangular canvas painted in oil and framed in wood. The subject is a little girl with blonde hair, tousled and light as foam, dressed up for a party, with earrings, a necklace of seeds, crosses and medals around her neck, and a bouquet of wildflowers in her hand.