In the second half of the Nineteenth century, the past gives painting the chance to confront itself with the perfect proportions of classical art, but that is not all. The senses lie still in front of works characterised by an almost theatrical taste, which never fail to transport the viewer into a world of spiritual and carnal vagueness. Joyful mirages that evoke classical Greece, which gave culture to the western world. A fine breeze that blows all over Europe. In France, its main protagonists are William Adolphe Bouguereau with its allegorical and mythological allegories, and Jean-Léon Gerôme, with his sensual orientalism. In England, Lawrence Alma-Tadema with his Epicurean beauty. In Italy, Raffaello Sorbi from Florence is sensitive to this atmosphere. Thanks to his technical talent and his astonishing use of colours, he soon became internationally successful. His paintings reminded of the Eighteenth century taste, of medieval painting and of Pompeian style.
The next auction of 19th century paintings will present a rediscovered masterpiece by the artist called Lo studio di Fidia o Fidia che scolpisce la statua di Minerva per il Partenone (Phidias’s workshop or Phidias carving the Statue of Minerva for the Parthenon). It is said that in 1869, while Sorbi was working on paintings of Roman subjects and costumes, he had the honour of being visited in his workshop by the illustrious sculptor Giovanni Duprè, who had particularly appreciated the sculptures of Phidias for the pediment of the Parthenon at the British Museum in London in 1857. Thus, Duprè commissioned him a painting depicting “Phidias carving the Statue of Minerva”. The work was made according to the “pompier” trend, which was very fashionable at that time. Until today, of this exquisite painting only a picture was known. The picture portrays the artist in his workshop as he compares his work with the model posing in front of him. In the background, it is possible to see part of the Parthenon frieze. A painting that stands out for its sophistication, which enhances its solid and exemplary conception.