Giuseppe De Nittis "The Amazon at the Bois de Boulogne"

Giuseppe De Nittis "The Amazon at the Bois de Boulogne"

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Author/ School/ Dating:

Giuseppe De Nittis (Barletta, 1846 - Saint Germain en Laye, 1884)

Technique and Dimensions:

Oil in canvas, 31.5 x 42.5 cm

Object Type:

Painting

Provenienza:

Legacy of Luigi Frugone, 1953

Location:

First floor, Belle Epoque and Scapigliatura Room (inv. no. GAM 1534)

Provenance:

Legacy of Luigi Frugone, 1953

 

The Apulian artist was one of the most admired and widely recognized artists in Paris in the second half of the 19th century, in part thanks to his relationship with the famous merchant Alphonse Goupil. He was the only Italian artist invited by his friend Edgar Degas to the first exhibition of the Impressionists in the studio of the photographer Nadar in 1874, De Nittis distinguished himself for his images of the cities in which he stayed, Paris, London, focusing on the theme of the urban upper middle class, in particular women, as the urban environment rapidly evolved into modern metropolis’s. The subject presented in this work is repeated in several other canvases by De Nittis who often presents his subjects portrayed from a raised view point, in fact the artist sketched the scenes of Parisian life from the inside of a carriage allowing him to witness, unseen and from a privileged point of view, everyday scenes. Also worthy of note is the “breakthrough” of the painting, on the right, which shows a view leading back towards the Arc de Triomphe  that counterpoints the captivating figures of the “Amazon” and her friends outlined with great attention to the details of clothing, in the central part of the painting.