Giuseppe Livi 1884 Victorian Lady Marble Statue

Description: 1884 Giuseppe Livi "Victorian Lady" Carrara Marble Statue This rare and most extraordinary sculpture was titled “Victorian Lady” by its wealthy New York owners. It was acquired from their estate. It one of only three known Giuseppe Livi marble sculptures that he created for private collections. He created Victorian Lady in 1884 at the age of 56. Livi died in 1890 at the age of 62.Victorian Lady is 16” tall, and weighs18 lbs 8 oz.She appears to be in near pristine condition, with no noticeable scratches, chips, cracks, or blemishes. Livi sculpted Victorian Lady from Carrara marble. The marble is light cream in color. We had "Victorian Woman" professionally appraised, along with two other items. A true copy of the appraisal will be provided to the buyer. The selling price is below its appraised value, and will not be discounted. Please review the the condition, which is excerpted from the appraisal.We displayed Victorian Lady on a shelf at eye level in front of a large window. When the sun was setting and low in the horizon, we discovered to our astonishment that she is translucent, and takes on a warm glow when backlit. We simulated the same effect by holding a flashlight behind her. Please be advised that Victorian Lady is best displayed higher than table height, and at eye level if possible. A tall pedestal, if in a safe location, would work, but we would recommend considering a corner shelf. Home Depot has Home Decorator Collection profile corner white shelves in 12" and 18" sizes for $25,98 and $35,47 respectively. It would be best if the corner was well lit, as this is a rare and extraordinary sculpture.The only other two known Livi marble pieces in private collections are “Sposa e Sposo” (alternatively, “Gentleman and Lady”) and “Beggar Boy”. Victorian Lady is marked “G. Livi Carrara 1884”. Sposa e Sposo is identically marked “G. Livi Carrara 1888”. Beggar Boy wa signed, but I have not been able to find an image of the signature.Livi was a reknowned and arguably the preeminent sculptor in South America during the years of his residence there. He was commissioned by various South American governments to create monumental sculptures for prominent public display. All, except for one that was destroyed in war, apparently still exist and are prominently displayed. I have pieced together a short biography of Livi from various sources, including Sotheby’s London, ArtNet and My Heritage. Although some of the information I have gathered, such as the year of his birth (1828 or 1830) vary slightly, I believe that this is a close representation of his biography.He was born in 1828, and was raised in Carrara, Italy. Livi was the nephew of the very famous European neoclassical artist and sculptor, Luigi Bienaim . Bienaim was commissioned to create a number of works by the Russian court in St Petersburg, including a Marriage for the Czar, a Bacchante dancing, a Diana surprised, and a Psyche abandoned by Love. He was also prolific with portraits, including the Czar, Napoleon, and Washington. He created sculptures for Prince Torlonia and Prince Gallitzin. He became professor of sculpture in the Accademia di San Luca.Livi moved from Carrara to Florence, Italy, and later relocated to Buenos Aires, Argentina (per Sotheby’s). He relocated again to Montevideo, Uruguay. He was known as Jos Livi in South America (Giuseppe translates to Jos in Spanish, and to Joseph in English).In 1829, four years after Uruguay’s Declaration of Independence, a new city square was planned for Montevideo, the Plaza de Cagancha. In 1867, the Pillar of Peace (Columna de La Paz) was erected in its center, with a bronze statue on its top. It is located at kilometre zero, the starting point of Uruguay’s national roads. Giuseppe (Jos ) Livi was selected by a special panel from among the greatest sculptors in South America to be commissioned to create this iconic sculpture. It is a tribute to the "Peace of October 8, 1851", the date on which the Great War ended. It is now commonly known as Estatua de la Libertad y Columna de la Paz (Statue of Liberty and Pillar of Peace).Livi’s best-known works include La Piedad and La Libertad in the Plaza Libertad in Montevideo. He sculpted a Statue of Liberty in Paysand that was destroyed by the cannons of the Brazilian army during the defense of Paysand in 1864. He sculpted two allegorical sculptural groups, La Esperanza and La Justicia, in Carrara marble on the fa ade of the Paysand police headquarters. Several of his sculptures can be found in the Monument to Perpetuity in the city of Paysand . Livi created a magnificent large monumental marble sculpture for Montevideo’s maternity hospital, that is featured in a YouTube video. It can be found by Googling Giuseppe Livi escultor italiano radicado en Uruguay autor de la Maternidad del Hospital Maciel.Livi relocated back to Carrara Italy, possibly around 1870, and was named honorary professor of the Carrara Academy (per Sotheby’s). We know of only three marble sculptures he sculpted for private collectors after returning to Italy, presumably to supplement his income. He and his wife, Arduina Micheli Livi, had a son, Giovanni, who also became a highly respected and accomplished sculptor.Victorian Lady will be professionally packed, fully insured and shipped by UPS.

Price: 2750 USD

Location: Brandon, Florida

End Time: 2024-10-12T00:12:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 100 USD