Jean Francois Rafaelli
"The Grand Canal with the Santa Maria della Salute in Venice"
JEAN-FRANÇOIS RAFFAËLLI
Paris 1850-1924
THE GRAND CANAL WITH THE SANTA MARIA DELLA SALUTE IN VENICE
Oil on cardboard, 65 x 86,50 cm.
Signed: lower right ‘JF Raffaelli’
Provenance: Private collection, Belgium; Auct. Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Me Morelle, June 8 1973, lot 38; Private collection, Paris; Auct. Artcurial, Paris, June 2 2015, n°54. Brame & Lorenceau confirmed the authenticity of this work; it will be included in its computerized catalogue critique on the Artist, now in preparation.
Jean-François Raffaëlli was a French realistic painter who was often associated with the impressionists with whom he often exhibited. Initially he painted landscapes and costume paintings, which he exhibited at the Paris Salon. From 1876 Raffaëlli painted a series of realistic works of peasants and cotton pickers around Paris. He made intensive studies of characters of the working class in their poor environment. Degas celebrated his work and introduced him to the impressionist circle and their exhibitions. From 1890, Raffaëlli began to show influences of the impressionist painters and moved his attention from the country to the centre of Paris and the Parisians. It led to fresh, lively works whereby his success increased.