Portrait Of Masto Ciccio

The Department of Drawings and Prints at the Capodimonte Museum in Naples holds several drawings by Gemito that feature a similar autograph ruling on the paper, such as the Portrait of Mathilde Duffaud and the Self-Portrait. Both works, originating from the Minozzi collection and likewise dated to circa 1875, were recently featured in the exhibition Gemito. Dalla scultura al disegno at Capodimonte, following the Parisian stage of the exhibition Gemito. Le sculpteur de l’âme napolitaine at the Petit Palais.

The portrait of his adoptive father Masto Ciccio—another favorite model during the artist’s youth—was executed on paper prepared by the artist, as were the Capodimonte drawings; it displays a similar vertical ruling, devoid of any figuration, on the verso of the sheet as well.