Federigo Zandomeneghi (Venice 1841–1917 Paris) From the surroundings of Paris, signed, dated Zandomeneghi (18)78, oil on canvas, 61 x 50.5 cm, framed Provenance: E. Gagliardin Collection, Milan; Private Collection, Vimercate; Thence by descent to the current owner; Private Collection Italy. Catalogued and illustrated in: Mario Borgiotti, Incantesimi dell’Ottocento pittorico italiano, Milan 1967; Enrico Piceni, Zandomeneghi, Bramante ed., Milan 1967, no. 29. In 1878, the year the present work was painted, Federico Zandomeneghi opened a studio in Paris in Passage de l’Elysée des Beaux-Arts in Montmartre. He later moved to rue Tourlaque where he remained until his death. The same year he met one of the most prestigious art dealers in Paris, Paul Durand-Ruel, who paid for exclusivity of his works – this enabled him to work freely without financial constraint. In 1879 he participated for the first time in the annual Impressionist exhibition The artist painted scenes from everyday life influenced by the works of the Barbizon group. He could easily access the Parisian countryside, providing opportunities to paint plein air paintings such as the one in the present lot. The tree foliage dominates the composition; a figure is walking with two children on the bank of the river. It depicts perfectly the rustic charm and innocence of the countryside.