Study For The Head Of An Apostle Or Saint. Enrico Reffo, Atelier

Study for the Head of an Apostle or Saint

Artist: Enrico Reffo (1831-1917)
Medium: Charcoal and white chalk on colored paper
Dimensions: [To be specified]
Date: Late 19th - Early 20th century
Provenance: From the artist’s studio, preserved by his pupil and artistic heir, Luigi Guglielmino

This drawing is a preparatory study for the head of an apostle or saint, likely intended for a large religious composition or an altarpiece. Executed in charcoal and white chalk, it showcases Enrico Reffo’s meticulous attention to volume, light, and expression. The white highlights enhance the relief of the face, giving the subject a strong presence and an introspective intensity.

Enrico Reffo was an Italian painter specializing in sacred art, primarily active in Turin. He founded and directed a painting and sculpture school at the Collegio degli Artigianelli, where he trained numerous students, including his most devoted disciple, Luigi Guglielmino. At a time when religious painting was no longer at the forefront of artistic research, Reffo remained committed to an art deeply rooted in mysticism, characterized by strong compositional rigor and a keen focus on expression. His works can be found in several Piedmontese churches, including the Church of San Domenico and the Sanctuary of the Consolata in Turin.

This drawing comes from a vast collection of studio materials, including numerous preparatory studies and sketches, documenting the artist’s creative process. A rare opportunity to acquire a tangible piece of the work of one of the greatest Italian religious painters of the 19th century.