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TELEMACO SIGNORINI
(Florence 1835 - 1901)
CHIOGGIA: FISHERMAN ON THE PIER, 1897

Black chalk. Signed with monogram TS, titled CHIOGGIA and dated 12 Giugno 97, lined; 205 x 131 mm. On the verso stamped number 508.
For other drawings by Signorini executed in Chioggia, 1897-99 see Mostra di disegni di Telemaco Signorini, catalogue of the exhibition at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Rome, 1969; nos. 457-460, illustrated.

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.