Bidspirit auction | Monumental 100cm Bronze of the

Monumental 100cm Bronze of the Crab Boy - DE LOTTO, Annibale (1877 - 1932), after - Patinated bronze. Dimensions: 100 x 70 cm. The sculpture depicts a young nude man, in a dynamic and balanced pose, bending down to observe a small crab at his feet. The body, depicted in an elegant turn, conveys a restrained tension and refined naturalism, with a detailed anatomical study that highlights the youthful musculature and flexibility of movement. The boy's gesture, as he lifts his foot to avoid the crustacean's claw, provides a narrative and humorous note of grace, in line with the costumbrist and allegorical themes developed by 19th-century Italian sculpture. The patinated surface treatment intensifies the contrasts of light and shadow, highlighting the volumes and giving the piece a vibrant and expressive character. The circular, rocky-like base blends seamlessly into the whole, reinforcing the sense of a scene captured in an instant. The work, with a strong academic imprint but with a realistic sensibility, reflects the survival of neoclassical taste combined with the emerging Romantic interest in the anecdotal and the vital. Preserved in very good condition, it is a notable example of nineteenth-century Italian sculpture, where technique and expressiveness combine to create a fresh and dynamic image.