Lot 70: GAETANO RUSSO

ITALIAN, B. 1852
BATHER WITH HER BABY

measurements
height: 65 in. (pedestal height: 15 3/4 in.)

alternate measurements
165.1 cm (40 cm)

inscribed G. Russo Roma (on rear of stone cropping)

white marble

NOTE

Seaside vacations grew in popularity in the 1890's. It was only by the late nineteenth century that women no longer camouflaged the contours of their bodies at the beach. Thin and silky free-flowing bathing costumes like this one allowed women to enjoy themselves as they abandoned the formerly weighty and burdensome costumes of previous decades.

The costume's intricately carved lace and bloomers cling to the mother emphasizing her sleek, elegant and pristine nature, which is further echoed in the pure white marble medium. The graceful figure clenches her frightened baby while the two look down at the water, seeming to enjoy the water splashing around her ankles. It is quite apparent from the shocked look on the baby's face that he is terrified of the water as his mother holds him close.

Small decorative details such as the crab almost hidden in its rock, and elaborate ruffles on the mother's costume are typical of Russo's work. In addition to genre scenes, Russo is perhaps best known for his 1892 marble statue of Columbus resting on its granite column at Columbus Circle in New York.