19th Century Oil Painting "The Tarantella Dancer" by Anton Romako

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38" (97 cm.) x 30". Oil painting on canvas depicting a vibrant young lady dancing the tarantella alongside her accompanying mandolin player. While his head is mostly hidden by his wonderfully decorated hat, it is clear that he is gazing up at her, just as the three young folks leaning over the wall are gazing down, the besmitten lad in the center extending his glass of ale in a celebratory toast. The dancer, center of the painting and the scene, is notable not only for her well-detailed costume, which appears alive with movement, but also for the intricate details of tambourine, jewelry and facial expression whose shadowing enhances her mystery. The painting is enhanced further by attention to background details including sea scene, mandolin carving, barrels, and even the toy held by one of the other lads. The painting is signed A. Romako Roman on lower right and is presented in original carved wooden gilt frame. Excellent condition. Austrian-born Anton Romako (1832-1889) studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, and later continued his studies in Munich, Venice, Rome and London, finally settling in Italy where his genre scenes of popular culture were celebrated.