FELICE CASORATI | Etudiante

Collection of Angelo Dragone (art historian), Turin;
Acquired by the grandfather of the present owners, probably from the above

It has not been possible to see the work entirely unframed. The panel is sound. There is a milky varnish preventing UV light from fully penetrating, however examination under UV light appears to reveal an area of retouching (approx. 8 cm wide) to the lower left quadrant and a few further smaller dots and lines of retouching in places, notably towards the centre of left edge, to the figure's hair, to the figure's proper left arm and to the lower right quadrant. There are a few vertical thin cracks (the longest of which is approx. 6 cm long) most predominately towards the upper right corner, some of which are visible in the catalogue illustration. There are scattered hairline lines of stable craquelure in places, notably to the model's bust and a few tiny paint losses in places, notably along the upper edge. This work is in overall good condition.
"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."

Close to Magic Realism and the symbolic style of the Vienna Secession, Felice Casorati was a prominent figure of Italian art in the 20^th century. Intrigued by the decadent atmosphere of Turin after WWI, he moved to the city in 1919 and quickly became a main protagonist of local intellectual circles. After his rupture with the avant-garde figuration of the beginning of the century, the geometry and formal simplicity of his works from the 20s exhibited a certain return to order. While drawing inspiration from Renaissance masters (Giotto, Pierro Della Francesca, Masaccio…), Casorati forged a modern formal language with sometimes abstract and dreamlike elements. The artist skillfully combined the concept of classicism with modernity and realism in his interest in ordinary aspects of daily life, and with symbolism, in the transcending desire of his protagonists.