Italian Peasant In Ciociaro Costume, Roman Campagna, With French Inscription, 19th C.

Italian Peasant, Roman Campagna, “Costumes italiens”, 19th century. Watercolor

Watercolor and pencil on paper
29 × 21.5 cm

Study of a peasant in traditional central Italian dress, holding a stick, with a shoulder bag and a fiasco at the waist. He wears the typical ciocie, characteristic of the Roman Campagna.

A handwritten inscription in French appears on the sheet, indicating a French-speaking artist and suggesting, with caution, a connection to a southern French painter, within the entourage of Dominique Papety (Marseille 1815 – 1849), trained in the circle of Ingres.

The preparatory pencil drawing remains visible beneath the watercolor, applied in broad areas. The wide facial structure and construction through planes of color support this reading.

Part of a coherent series of eight watercolors depicting Italian costume figures, likely from a 19th-century travel album later dispersed.

Condition consistent with age, light natural patina of the paper.