Adriano Cecchi, the Riddles of Love, 19th-century Italian Oil Painting

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

This exquisite 19th-century portrait depicts a young lady lost in the riddles of love. She gazes towards the petals of a daisy, almost too fearful to look - “he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me…”.

The artist, Adriano Cecchi (1850-1936), was an Italian master of cherubic figures and porcelain skin. Training at the Academy in Florence, he learned the nuances of the Renaissance painters and applied his teachings to the modern world. His skin tones are remarkable for their flawless appearance, akin to a born-again Raphael immersed in 19th-century vanity.

Note the statuesque stillness of this beautiful portrayal as Cecchi captures a poignant moment. It’s a manifestation of the space between love and what could have been. She’s immersed between worlds and reliant solely on the fortune of a daisy. There’s a tension in beauty - and this is it.

The portrait is housed within a remarkable carved giltwood frame with lavish ornaments.

Please note that this painting will need to be crated if shipped overseas. A cost for the crate will be added on during checkout.

Learn more about Adriano Cecchi in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 32” x 38” / 81cm x 96cm

Year of creation: c. 1890

Condition: Artwork presents well. One small patch on the reverse. Frame with some light wear.

Artist’s auction highlight: £32,000 achieved for an oil painting in 2002.

Physical Dimensions

Height

96cm (37.80")

Width

81cm (31.89")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA904254

Description

This exquisite 19th-century portrait depicts a young lady lost in the riddles of love.

“

She gazes towards the petals of a daisy, almost too fearful to look - “he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me…”.

Brave Fine Art

fig 1. Adriano Cecchi, The Riddles Of Love, 19th-Century Italian Oil Painting — fig 1. Adriano Cecchi, the Riddles of Love, 19th-century Italian Oil Painting

The artist, Adriano Cecchi (1850-1936), was an Italian master of cherubic figures and porcelain skin. Training at the Academy in Florence, he learned the nuances of the Renaissance painters and applied his teachings to the modern world. His skin tones are remarkable for their flawless appearance, akin to a born-again Raphael immersed in 19th-century vanity.

fig 2. Adriano Cecchi, The Riddles Of Love, 19th-Century Italian Oil Painting — fig 2. Adriano Cecchi, the Riddles of Love, 19th-century Italian Oil Painting

Note the statuesque stillness of this beautiful portrayal as Cecchi captures a poignant moment. It’s a manifestation of the space between love and what could have been. She’s immersed between worlds and reliant solely on the fortune of a daisy. There’s a tension in beauty - and this is it.