Bidspirit auction | Antonio Gargiullo, Italian (19th Century),

Antonio Gargiullo, Italian (19th Century), portrait of a man smoking double sided, watercolor on - Antonio Gargiullo Italian (19th Century) portrait of a man smoking double sided watercolor on paper The back depicting an unfinished portrait of a man in historical military armor attire, specifically a musketeer uniform. Signed lower left. According to Bonhams, Antonio Gargiullo was born in the south of Italy and settled in Rome where he became admired for his genre scenes, including many in the Orientalist style. He is believed to have been inspired by Guiseppe Signorini's Oriental-themed masquerade ball in 1881, the influx of Tunisians visiting Rome, Persian rugs imported from abroad and the various Islamic objects bartered and sold throughout the city. 17”H x 10”W(sight), 21”H x 14”W(mat)