Giuseppe de Sancti (1858 Naples - 1924 ibid.) Portrait of an Art Nouveau beauty A portrait of a young woman with a delicate complexion, flowing hair and a flowing white dress, painted in a loose, impressionistic style. Particular attention is drawn to the almost sculptural, magnificent tiara and the fragrant bouquet of flowers, whose blue blossoms provide a charming contrast to the otherwise rather muted colouring. The background and the sitter's face are in shadow, although the latter is effectively emphasised by a skilful use of light. De Sancti, whose godfather was the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi, studied at the Academy in Naples and was a pupil of Domenico Morelli, Filippo Palizzi and Gioacchino Toma. He worked for a time in London and Paris, where he studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme and Pascal Adolphe Dagnan-Bouveret. Oil on canvas; signed Napoli (Naples) on the lower right and dated (18)90. (18)90. Verso exhibition number. 90 cm x 55.5 cm. Frame. Oil on canvas. Signed with location Naples and dated (18)90.