Vincenzo Gemito Italian, 1852-1929

Only one other cast in bronze of this rare model is currently known, in the Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Milan, together with the original model in wax.

Compositionally Il Vasaio, dating to circa 1915, is a development of Gemito's persistent reworking of his famous Acquaiolo originally conceived over forty years earlier (see lot 103). This theme evolved from the skinny contemporary urchin holding a water jug whilst offering forward a drinking cup, through to the more classicising boys and girls holding amphora in La Sorgente (circa 1908), the present Il Vasaio and the Fanciulla con anfora.

The striking features of the head of Il Vasaio recall Gemito's busts and reliefs of Alexander the Great but equally relate to the famous bust of Antinous in the Vatican. Gemito was fascinated with the antique throughout his career.

RELATED LITERATURE
de Marinis figs.43, 265-67; Temi di Vincenzo Gemito p.127, nos. 37, 153; Galleria d'Arte Moderna nos.1032-33