Pietro Calvi's The Moor of Venice Bronze and Marble Bust

A fine bronze and marble bust of Pietro Calvi's: The Moor of Venice. Pietro Calvi was born in Milan and studied at the Milan Academy, training under the renowned sculptor Giovanni Seleroni. It was under Seleroni's guidance that Calvi developed the outstanding sensitivity and refinement that became the hallmark of his modelling. Calvi relished working in bronze and marble, often combining the two materials to create the most striking and effective results. This style is reminiscent of another 19th century ethnographic sculptor, Charles Cordier. However, unlike the latter's scientific outlook on his subjects, Calvi brought out the dramatic, emotional side of his sitters. Many of his works were exhibited throughout Europe and America, most notably at London's Royal Academy from 1872 until the year before his death in 1883. Pietro Calvi's 1868 marble and bronze sculpture of Shakespeare's The Moor of Venice, is displayed at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland and shows Othello as portrayed by American actor Ira Aldridge. Aldridge was the first black actor to play Othello, doing so in 1825 at a time when the end of slavery was still decades away, though he spent most of his life in Europe and died in 1867 before he could return to the United States. Ira Aldridge is believed to have been born in New York City around 1807 (though some early biographies say he was born in Bel Air, Maryland), the son of a free Black preacher named Daniel and his wife Luranah. Although there were some theatre opportunities for African-Americans in New York, including The African Company, which is considered this country's first black troupe, acting was not a financially feasible career choice for a young Black man in America, so Ira Aldridge moved to England. For examples sold see: Property from the Estate of Rochelle Sepenuka Sothebys New York 21 October 2008 lot 89 sold for US$43,750. 19th century European Art Christies, New York 28 October 2013 lot 84 sold for US$57,500. Sotheby's London. April 30, 2019. Petro Calvi - The Moor of Venice. Estimate: £18,000 GBP - £25,000 GBP Sold: £26,000 GBP. Dimensions: 74 cm high 47 cm wide, 32 cm deep