1220

Bartholomew Gallotti (Italian/Mexico/New Orleans, Late 19th/Early 20th Century), "Queen Anne's Lace", 1910, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower left, a "W. E. Seebold/New Orleans" label en verso frame, 48" x 31-1/2". In a period incised giltwood frame. Provenance: Private collection, Mandeville, Louisiana. Gallotti was active in New Orleans ca. 1910s, and was a member of the local Art Association. A somewhat elusive figure, little biographical information is readily available. The first clear mention of the artist is when a Bartolomeo Gallotti from S. Bartolomeo, is listed as a student of the Accademia di Belle Arte, Milano for the academic year 1889-1890, where he received a bronze medal for painting. That same year, a portrait of Giovanni Berra, the rector of San Giovanni alle Case Rotte, was completed by Gallotti; it was a replacement commission of the 1878 portrait by Alessandro Rinaldi (Italian, 1839-1890) which had been destroyed in a fire. There are no further listings of work by Gallotti in Italy. Sometime between this date and the turn of the century, Gallotti traveled to Mexico where he was involved in the decoration of the famed Palacio de Correos de Mexico (colloquially the Palacio Postal) in Mexico City. The main meeting room of this building contains a series of frescos of children completed by the artist. While the exact date of these murals is not known, the construction of the building began in 1902 and was completed in 1907. Since the main architect of the Palacio was from Italy, it would not be surprising that several of the artists and artisans employed may have been his compatriots. American Art News, March 11, 1916, in its review of the 15th Exhibition at the Delgado Museum of Art (now the New Orleans Museum of Art) refers to Gallotti (now listed as Bartholomew and not Bartolomeo) as a member of the local Mexican community of New Orleans. The artist was represented at the exhibit by eight oils on canvas and the technical skill revealed was such that it prompted the reviewer to comment, "Mr. Gallotti has selected his subjects from among the poorer classes and has portrayed the characters and feelings of these people with much force. His treatment is broad and direct and his color is good." While the subject of the portrait presented here is clearly of the middle classes, the treatment and style of the painting can be described in much the same manner. A rich deep palette of blues, greens and browns, a strong and carefully arranged composition, and a bold, confident brushstroke, all merge to create a powerful work which represents a somewhat idealized view of childhood introspection and concentration, without ever veering into the sentimentality then so prevalent. References: American Art News, Vol. XIV, No. 23, March 11, 1916.; Luna, Marina Juarez. Palacio Postal, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, 2009.


  • Condition: In generally very good condition. Evidence of past restoration: inpainting including forehead, cheek, scattered areas in background and clothes. Layer of surface soiling. Slight yellowing of varnish layer.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

California residents must pay 9% sales tax

October 18, 2015 10:00 AM CDT
New Orleans, LA, US

New Orleans Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 23% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 + $5,000