#184

Outstanding Neapolitan Portrait of Water-Boy Attributed to Giovan Polidoro
Live Auction

Ended
$3,200
sold
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Description
16" (41 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta head with deeply-sculpted features, ebony black complexion, enamel eyes, age lines incised on forehead, closely-cropped hair with defined tuft at back crown, tow-wrapped posable armature body, carved wooden lower arms and muscular legs, painted black stockings and tan shoes with red outline, wearing original costume comprising flannel shirt, embroidered linen vest with constructed wear, striped flannel harem pants, and carrying three tin water pails. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, late 1700s, attributed to the studios of Giovan Polidoro. The occupation of "water boy" was important at this time. In his 1730 book the widely-traveled Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Labat praised the pure waters of Naples as well as the many "people who earn their living selling water to passers-by, whether to quench their thirst or refresh themselves".