Pamono Vincenzo Gemito, Art Nouveau Nude Sculpture of Water Carrier with a Fountain, Late 1800s, Bronze> Art Nouveau

Wonderful, imposing sculpture in solid bronze, depicting a naked boy, with a vase and jug in his hand, standing above a fountain with a face in bas-relief, sculpture entitled “The Water Carrier” made and signed on the back of the vase by Vincenzo Gemito, an important Neapolitan sculptor. The sculpture can be dated between the end of the 19th century and the very first decades of the 20th century, made in full Liberty style. Inscribed in bas-relief on the back of the fountain: “from the original prop. of the King of Naples S.M. Francesco II – Napoli Gemito”.

Useful information for the evaluation of the object:
from our research on the internet we found that the first four highest auction results of Vincenzo Gemito, as found on Art Price, range from over €47,000 up to over €101,000 for a large bronze bust, excluding the auction fees of 25-30%, this just to give an idea of ​​the importance and value of the works of this sculptor. Then we found our own sculpture “L’acquaiolo di Gemito”, one of the most famous sculptures of the artist, made in slightly different sizes, burnishings, gildings or chemical finishes, which range, for the oldest ones, made by the artist, from €6,500 up to over €19,000, to which the auction rights of 25-30% should also be added, while the others, more recent and made post mortem, that is after the artist’s death, are listed at auction from €300-€600 up to €1,500-€2,000. Consider that our sculpture is original and very old, made by the artist himself, as can be easily deduced from the wonderful patina, the high quality of the sculpture and the type of signature.

Final considerations on the object:
In the bronze sculpture “Acquaiolo” by Vincenzo Gemito the figure of the young water carrier, naked with a lopsided pose, generates an unusual dynamic movement. The body, with its sinuous line counterbalances the weight of the waterskin, making the Water Carrier a cross between a street urchin and a dancing faun. The inspiration comes from the reality of the Neapolitan alleys, as much as from the ancient sculpture studied in Pompeii.

Information on the artist and/or manufacturer:
Vincenzo Gemito (Naples, 1852 – 1929) was an Italian sculptor, designer and goldsmith. Self-taught, for the most part, and intolerant of academic canons, Gemito trained by drawing from the alleys of the historic center of Naples and from the sculptures of the archaeological museum. Gemito’s artistic production includes vigorous drawings, terracotta figures and a large number of sculptures mainly made in bronze, all depicting Neapolitan folk subjects or scenes.