Cesare Fantacchiotti

Overall, the condition of the marble is very good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is a loss to one of the leaves at the top of the rose bush on the right hand side. There are a few further small chips and abrasions to some of the leaves. There are a few small splashes of dark paint to the proper left leg and to the leaves at the base in that area. There are a few chips and abrasions to the sides and corners of the base. There are a few very small naturally occurring inclusions. There is minor naturally occurring veining, including to the forehead on the proper right side. There are some minor dirt marks on the surface of the marble including on the proper left arm. There are what appear to be original chiseled striations in the proper left arm. There is a small chip to the ribbon of the bow at the top, and there is some dirt to the hair. There are some minor abrasions to the skirt at the back.
"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."

The Florentine Cesare Fantacchiotti was the son of Odoardo, an established sculptor. Rather than attending the academy for a formal education, he received all his training directly from his father. After his father's death in 1877, he inherited his studio. Speaking fluent English, most of Fantacchiotti's commissions were from private clients, including British and American. His naturalistic and detailed work found great favour amongst his contemporaries. He was president of the sculpture department of the Academy of Fine Art in Florence from 1887. After his death in 1922, he bequeathed his studio to his pupil Donatello Gabrielli, who continued his master's style and worked with Fantacchiotti's original models. 

The present marble shows great skill in the superbly intricate carving of the flowers around the base and the hem of the dress. The young girl, carefully studying her finger where she is trying to remove a thorn, frowns in concentration. With the present marble, Fantacchiotti has followed in his father's footsteps, who specialised in sculptures of young children. The delicacy and serenity in the present sculpture may indicate Cesare's own preference for genre sculpture of the highest quality. 

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Bernini, 'Cesare Fantacchiotti', in Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani, Volume 44, Rome, 1994; A. Panzetta, Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell'Ottocento e del Primo Novecento, Turin, 2003, vol. 1, p. 362