Professore Rossi Italian, second half 19th century

Illustrated, John Goodall, ‘Regency Revival’, Country Life, London, 10 February 2010, p. 63

Overall, the condition is very good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a few naturally occurring inclusions to the surface including to the proper right index finger, the proper right side of the jaw, and to the proper left foot. There is also an area of filled inclusions around the proper right shoulder, which have discoloured slightly. There are a few very minor chips, including to the terrasse at the back. There is a pinkish dirt mark to the proper left side. The verde antico column is in good condition overall. There are minor losses and chips to the edges and to the lowest part of the base. There is a probable reattachment to the third from bottom layer of the base.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ruth was a popular subject among the genre sculptors active in Italy in the 19th century. A particularly famous depiction of the biblical heroine can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Ruth Gleaning by American sculptor Randolph Rogers (inv. no. 99.7.1). The present marble compares particularly to the figures of Ruth by Pasquale Romanelli (1812-1887) and his son Raffaello (1856-1928); one such figure sold in these rooms as part of the Carbisdale Castle Collection on 20 May 2015, lot 9. 

However, although the present figure of Ruth is very closely related to the Romanelli model, the figure shows some deviations: the drapery and hair are slightly different, the figure wears a beaded necklace, and her pose seems slightly more provocative. In this way, the figure is reminiscent of a figure of an Odalisque by Antonio Rossetti (b. 1819), sold in these rooms on 16 December 2015, lot 29. 

The Old Testament figure Ruth was greatly romanticised during the 19th century. Shown with sheaves in both hands, Ruth is here depicted in the act of gleaning, the sculptor's attention to detail clearly visible in the highly realistic carving of the wheat and Ruth's garments and headdress. Considering the combination of motifs from both Romanelli's and Rosetti's work, and the inscription of the Galleria Bazzanti, it may be presumed that the sculptor of the present marble was a Florentine active in the second half of the 19th century, who had a particular affinity for genre sculpture. 

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Panzetta, Nuovo Dizionario degli scultori Italiani dell'ottocento e del primo novecento, Turin, 2003, pp. 781-2, 785.