The Philosopher - Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929)

Bust in bronze with a nuanced dark brown patina
Signed "Gemito"
Stamped with the foundry mark "Fonderia Gemito Napoli - Merca di Fabbrica" and another rectangular stamp "Fonderia Gemito Napoli"
Raised on its original bronze round base

Italy
Modelled in 1883
Cast around 1919
Height 49 cm

Abandoned and left to an orphanage in his native Naples, Vincenzo Gemito grew up as the adopted son of house-worker Francesco Jadiciccio. Francesco, who was affectionately known as Masto Ciccio, would go on to serve as the model for one of Gemito’s best known works : "The Philosopher".

A similar model is exhibited at the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, Naples, Italy, and another one at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, Usa.

Provenance :
Property from the Asbjorn Lunde Foundation, New York, Usa
Private collection, England

Biography :
Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929) was a Neapolitan designer and sculptor. He became an apprentice at a very young age in the workshop of the academic painter and sculptor Emanuele Caggiano, then quickly worked in the workshop of the sculptor Stanislao Lista. At the age of twelve, Gemito entered the school of the Royal Institute of Fine Arts where he formed a lifelong friendship with Antonio Mancini. He also attended evening classes at the Domenico Maggiore Academy.

Vincenzo Gemito created “The Card Player” (Il giocatore di carti) at the age of sixteen, which was noticed when it was exhibited at the Promotrice of Naples. King Victor Emmanuel II bought it to be exhibited at the Capodimonte museum. In 1871, Gemito won first prize in the Naples fine arts competition, which entitled him to a scholarship to study in Rome. He then produced several busts and portraits including those of Francesco Paolo Michetti, Domenico Morelli and Verdi.

In 1877, Gemito moved to Paris where he established links with the painter and sculptor Ernest Meissonier. Gemito exhibited in various salons, as well as at the Universal Exhibition of 1878 in Paris. He made a silver portrait of Boldini and the baritone Jean-Baptiste Faure. His portrait of Federico de Madrazo earned him a third class medal at the Salon and the following year, Gemito won a second class medal at the Salon with a bronze statuette depicting Meissonier. He returned to Naples in 1880, where he worked at his "Water Seller".

In 1883, Vincenzo Gemito set up his own foundry, via Mergellina in Naples. In 1887, he sculpted a commissioned marble statue representing Charles V, a material that Gemito was unable to master as he would like. Although he sank into a depression, he nonetheless won great awards such as the grand prize for sculpture in Paris in 1889 and 1890, the diploma of honor from Antwerp in 1892, again the grand prize for sculpture in Paris in 1900. Working mainly in drawing and living as a recluse, Gemito nevertheless participated in the 8th Venice Biennale with drawings of common people from Naples. He also didn't resume sculpture until 1909 and his taste was gradually influenced by Symbolism.