Raffaello Sorbi

Sale: Christie's, London, Wednesday, 4 December 2002, lot 114
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

The canvas has not been lined. There is no visible retouching under ultraviolet light (some small areas fluoresce green, however these are most likely the artist's original pigments and not retouching). Apart from some light surface abrasion in the hat of the man standing in blue to the left, this painting is in good condition, and is ready to hang. Held in an elaborate gilt frame.
"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."

Set on the terrace of an archetypal Italian taverna The Winning Handepitomises Sorbi's colourful historicising genre scenes set in the Tuscan countryside. Throughout his career, Sorbi found inspiration for his paintings in the villages of Tuscany. Almost always, theatrical figures in eighteenth-century costumes are set against bright landscapes observed directly from nature. On the one hand The Winning Hand is highly modern for its date, inspired by the French plein air and realist painters, the landscape painted from direct observation, and rendered with vigorous brushstrokes and luminous palette.

At the same time, the painting reveals Sorbi's wish to depict Italy as a unified whole, in which camaraderie prevails and the social classes live in harmony. Here, the nobility as well as local villagers share the pictorial space, enjoying a summer's afternoon. The eighteenth century costumes serve to lift the scene out of the present and on to a more timeless plane, harking back to the fêtes champêtres of Watteau or Lancret.

Sorbi was born in Florence and studied at the Accademia in that city, where his work is exhibited at the Pitti Palace. egardless of any underlying messages, intended or not, Sorbi's colourful and playful paintings were enormously popular during his own lifetime, so much so that Adolphe Goupil, the renowned Parisian art dealer, signed an exclusive contract with the artist in 1872. Sorbi's popularity at home found recognition when he was awarded the highest Italian accolade, the Commendatore del Regno.