Bronze sculpture depicting 'The Waterman' by Vincenzo Gemito, dating from the end of the 19th century.
Measurements without marble base H 52.5 cm, W 18.5 cm, D 20 cm.
Acquaiolo by Vincenzo Gemito is a very famous sculpture by the Neapolitan sculptor famous for his figures of scugnizzi (street urchins).
The subject represented in Gemito's sculpture is a Neapolitan scugnizzo, i.e. a young man of the people. The posture of the boy suggests that he is handing a cup of water to a possible customer.
Vincenzo Gemito was born in Naples in 1852 and therefore made this version of The Waterman around the age of 30. Gemito, on his return from his stay in Paris, made the statuette in Naples. There are several versions of The Waterman and the first was owned by the King of Naples Francis II who was in exile in Paris. The artist's family had numerous replicas made after Gemito's death. The first version of Gemito's sculpture presented the naked body of the boy partly covered by a removable undergarment.
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SILVER Seller in Firenze, Italy
