ANTONIO MANCINI (1852-1930) Little beggar signed 'A. Mancini' (lower left) oil on panel 35 x 24.5 cm Antonio Mancini (1852 - 1930) was an Italian painter active in the second half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, who belonged to the Macchiaioli movement. His precociousness and artistic ability enabled him to be admitted to the Naples Academy of Fine Arts at the age of twelve, where he was a pupil of Domenico Morelli, Stanislao Lista and Filippo Palizzi. He became close friends with Vincenzo Gemito. Under the guidance of his masters, his art developed rapidly and in 1872 he exhibited two paintings at the Paris Salon. He devoted himself to portraiture and anecdotal genre painting. His art became identified with the verism movement. His works depicted children, young girls, the poor, young circus performers and musicians that he had observed in the streets of Naples. During his stay in Paris, he met the Impressionists Edgar Degas and Édouard Manet. He also became a friend of John Singer Sargent, who considered him the best living painter. At the buyer's request, we are happy to provide a general condition report for the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise prospective buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist or conservator of their choice for a full professional assessment. Descriptions of the condition of objects in the catalogue or in any correspondence are given for guidance only and should not be regarded as a substitute for a first-hand valuation. ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD 'AS IS' IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE