“la Signora Riflessiva”, Vincenzo Irolli (1860 – 1949) – “la Signora Riflessiva”

Vincenzo Irolli (30 September 1860 – 27 November 1949)

Period: Circa 1890-1900

Title: La Signora Riflessiva

Medium: Oil on canvas

Provenance: From a private London collection

Signed lower right of the sitter

Overall size with the original late 19th Italian frame is 44cm x 39cm x 5cm and the painting itself measured at 25cm x 20.5cm

A beautiful post-impressionist study of a beautiful Italian lady in what appears to be a summer dress with her hair tied up by the mercurial and well collected Italian 19th - 20th genre artist Vincenzo Irolli (30 September 1860 – 27 November 1949).

Typical of the artist’s oeuvre, the study shows wonderful skill and technique with lovely tonality and deft use of impasto, which can be seen from the photographs in the description. It is executed with the sort of expressiveness and vitality that made Irolli such a popular artist. The character that Irolli infused into each of his portraits situates him amongst the greatest artists of his time. From a young age Irolli was identified as real talent and as a mature artist found success in Italy and internationally.

The sitter appears to be in a reflective mood, deep in thought, her pose and posture creating a particular mood that is indicative of Irolli’s ability to convey feeling and emotion. The artist uses the warmth of his colours to capture light and atmosphere in a tactile manner, with each brush stroke creating the overall structure so typically associated with the painter’s wide genre of portrait and general studies. We think the painting is from the artist’s earlier period, most likely dating from circa 1890-1900.

A gifted painter and draughtsman, Vincenzo Irolli was born in Naples and was inspired to become an artist by seeing the works of Francesco Paolo Michetti and the young Antonio Mancini at the Esposizione Nazionale in 1877.

He became a pupil of Gioacchino Toma and Federico Maldarelli at the Istituto di Belle Arti in Naples, and first exhibited his work when he was still in his teens. He soon came under the influence of more Impressionistic painters such as Michetti and Domenico Morelli, although his style came perhaps closest to that of the Roman painter Mancini, who was a few years older. In 1879 Irolli exhibited a genre painting at the Esposizione Promotrice in Naples, which won the first prize.

In 1890 Irolli joined the Circolo Artistico Napoletano, and at around the same time joined several other local artists, including Giuseppe Casciaro, Vincenzo Migliaro, Attilio Pratella and Giuseppe De Sanctis, to decorate the elegant Caffe Gambrinus in the centre of Naples. He continued to exhibit widely throughout Italy - notably in Naples, Venice and Milan, and also in Barcelona, Berlin, London, Munich and Paris - well into the 20th century.
Irolli is best known for his sensitive portrayal of genre scenes of Neapolitan life – images of local women and children, scenes of the life in the café, and his lively and bustling market scenes. His work is characterised by his painterly style, effusive use of colour and thick impasto to create vibrant and evocative

The painter’s work is highly sought after and well collected with a number of gallery and private holdings.

The record sale achieved for the painters work at auction is 359,394 USD for LA PESCA FORTUNATA, sold at Sotheby's Milan in 2004.

Condition report: In fine original and cleaned condition the canvas is unlined without any repairs to the verso. The paint surface is stable and the canvas is in good tension.

The original gilt frame has had refurbishment and is in presentable condition and is offered as a gift.

****Westcoast Fine Art is always willing to consider reasonable offers from prospective buyers. Please feel free to send us an inquiry regarding any proposal or offer; we will review and respond within 24 hours.

Note:

The buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and associated taxes in the destination country. All works will be professionally packed and insured for shipment.

Shipping:

Please contact for exact shipping charges before purchasing

1) UK shipping minimum 50 euros
2) EU shipping minimum 90 euros (France minimum 60 euros)
3) For other worldwide shipping, please contact us.

We offer a 14-day return period to the EU and UK, provided the painting is returned in the same condition as received, packaged to the same packaging standards and insured at the price paid to Westcoast Fine Art Ltd for the artwork.

**The buyer is responsible for paying any customs charges of the destination country. We always advise the buyer to check with their local customs authorities for customs tariffs.

The frame is a gift and is therefore being provided to you at no additional cost. Any damages to the frame during transit do not give the buyer a basis for a claim or validate a request for the cancellation of a sale.

Westcoast Fine Art is a trademark of Westcoast Fine Art Ltd. Registered in England and Wales No. 15030029.

Registered office: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ

***Westcoast Fine Art is always willing to consider reasonable offers from prospective buyers. Please feel free to send us an inquiry regarding any proposal or offer; we will review and respond within 24 hours.

Note:

The buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and associated taxes in the destination country. All works will be professionally packed and insured for shipment.

Shipping:

Please contact for exact shipping charges before purchasing

1) UK shipping please request price
2) EU shipping please request price
3) For other worldwide shipping, please request price

We offer a 14-day return period to the EU and UK, provided the painting is returned in the same condition as received, packaged to the same packaging standards and insured at the price paid to Westcoast Fine Art Ltd for the artwork.

*The buyer is responsible for paying any customs charges of the destination country. We always advise the buyer to check with their local customs authorities for customs tariffs.

The frame is a gift and is therefore being provided to you at no additional cost. Any damages to the frame during transit do not give the buyer a basis for a claim or validate a request for the cancellation of a sale.

Westcoast Fine Art is a trademark of Westcoast Fine Art Ltd. Registered in England and Wales No. 15030029.

Registered office: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ