Libero Gremigni

LIBERO GREMIGNI (Italy, active from the late 19th century to the early 20th century).
“Portrait of a Lady.”
Carved marble with a marble base.
Signed on the base.
Measurements: 36 x 33 x 17 cm.
Bust of a female figure with her head covered by a wide veil that falls over her shoulders and chest. The face features delicate features, closed or slightly half-closed eyes, and a serene, contemplative expression. The treatment of the materials is one of the piece’s most striking aspects. The face, with its light tone, is marked by contrast with the veined marble mantle, in which ochre, beige, and brown hues predominate. The veil is rendered in great detail, capturing its folds and natural drape. In the center of the chest is a small carved plant motif, which adds an ornamental detail to the composition.
The work is part of the Italian sculptural tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period in which classically inspired figurative sculpture continued to develop. During this era, it was common to create sculptures by combining different types of stone, particularly marble and alabaster. This combination allowed for the creation of chromatic hallmarks and visually distinguished the various parts of a composition. Libero Gremigni was an Italian sculptor active from the late 19th century through the first decades of the 20th century. Although there is little documented biographical information about his life, his work is characterized primarily by figurative sculpture, with a particular focus on depictions of women.