(Florence 1835 - 1901)
PAESAGGIO CON CIPRESSI
Etching. An extremely rare print. In fact, until now, only one other impression was known to exist: the damaged one in the Timpanaro collection at the University of Pisa. See Maria Severini, La collezione Sebastiano Timpanaro nel Gabinetto disegni e stampe dell’Istituto di storia dell’arte dell’Università di Pisa, Venice 1959, cat. no. 403.
Our impression is printed on a large sheet of wove paper in dark blue ink. It bears the signature T. Signorini within the plate, and is also signed T. Signorini in black chalk along the lower margin.
To the platemark 162 x 94 mm. The full sheet measuring 419 x 282.
Professionally restored to treat extensive foxing, the impression is now in fine condition.
Signorini was a writer, theoretician and the spokesman for the Macchiaioli. He was also the first of the group, together with Borrani, to paint outdoors. Signorini was a passionate free spirit, who spent most of his life wandering in Italy and the capitals of Europe, always eventually returning to Florence. He frequently traveled to Paris and London, to sell and exhibit his works, at the Royal Academy and the Grosvenor Gallery in London, and with the dealers Goupil and Reitlinger in Paris. He also visited Boldini and De Nittis in Paris and became interested in the work of Manet and Degas. Signorini's style was unique among the Macchiaioli. His interest in nature and landscape was more objective and analytical. For a time his palette was influenced by the Impressionists, but in his later period he returned to purer color. Signorini was a splendid draftsman and printmaker.
