BY PROFESSOR VITTORIO CARADOSSI, FLORENCE, CIRCA 1900

The exceptional quality and surface condition of the present figure demonstrates Vittorio Caradossi's adept manipulation of the marble medium. Here the artist deliberately and most skillfully juxtaposes the highly polished surface of the waves with the matte finish of the figure and sail to imbue the overall composition with a sense of movement. It was a technique often imitated by Caradossi's contemporaries Ferdinando Andreini and Fortunato Galli, both of whom produced depictions of sea nymphs upon cresting waves. A large example of Caradossi's La Raffica was sold at DuMouchelle's, Detroit, 22 September 2013, lot 2001 ($156,000).

Please see lot 11 for a further note on Vittorio Caradossi.