Study Of A Bearded Man, Circa 1890, attributed To Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929)

Attributed to Vincenzo GEMITO (1852-1929)
Study of a Bearded Man, circa 1890

Charcoal on paper
25.5 x 20 cm

Provenance
Private collection, France

Vincenzo Gemito, an Italian sculptor and draftsman of the late 19th century, is renowned for his exceptional mastery of realism. He has often been celebrated for his ability to capture the human essence with both emotional and technical precision.

This drawing, with its distinctive style, is attributable to Gemito. The quality of the line, the anatomical rigor, the intense expression of the subject, and the psychological depth are undeniable characteristics of his work. Trained in Naples, Gemito lived at a time when art was evolving towards realism, moving away from the earlier Romanticism. He embraced this transition but also injected a personal vigor and uncompromising naturalism into his work, influenced by ancient art and the socio-economic context of post-unification Italy.

The drawing in question demonstrates an intimate understanding of the subject, typical of Gemito, who often studied people from his immediate surroundings. The way light sculpts the subject's face, the precision of the hair and beard, and the thoughtful gaze all testify to careful observation and skilled execution. These details, combined with the hatching technique used to model the forms, are characteristic of Gemito's approach.