catalog text
A. SECOLA (ITALIAN, 19TH/20TH CENTURY) ANTIQUE GENRE SCENE OIL PAINTING ON CANVAS
"The Arithmetic Lesson", signed lower left
Item # 503FPA28W
A humorous and vibrant genre scene, this large work depicts a 19th century classroom with the professor at the head of the room before an abacus. It is incredibly detailed and vibrant, the background filled with overflowing bookshelves, maps along the wall and a small globe on a shelf in the corner. The students are distracted in several directions, some paying close attention to the professor while one youngster seems to be stealing the professor's hankies and several youth are focusing on a mischievous young man at the back of the classroom. The painting closely relates as the predecessor to a scene offered at Christies (see below), "The Tired Professor", this appearing to be a possible depiction of what wore the professor out - several girls look almost identical in the Tired Professor, the teacher himself identical with the youth playing with the umbrella that rests on a small table lower left in the present scene.
Little is known of the artist, A. Secola, but he produced a somewhat large body of work during the late 19th Century. The present example is a lively and exquisitely detailed work, preserved in simply exceptional condition and a nostalgic glimpse into the past. It retains it's original lining and was cleaned in the last decade to result in a nearly flawless presentation. A small label on the back of the stretchers, appearing to be of the period if not by the artist's hand, notes the work as being titled "Arithmetic Lesson". For serious collectors of genre scenes, this is a very fine investment grade selection.
Notes:
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. 12, Gründ, p. 915
- Christies, 15 June 1999, Sale 8221, Lot 269, "The Tired Professor"
Measurements: [frame] 43 3/4" W x 31 3/8" H x 4 1/2" D, [canvas] 32 1/4" W x 19 3/4" H
Condition Report:
Cleaned in the last decade, the surface vibrant and absolutely gorgeous. Very minor slackening in corners due to being the original lining. Under UV examination there are hints of pigment flare in the upper right quadrant from what appears to be craquelure touch ups and a possible area of inpainting; other light touch ups to surface here and there, perhaps accounting for less than 5% of surface. Frame is almost certainly original, the molding cracked throughout though remaining in overall excellent condition. We do not guarantee the frame will arrive without minor damage, as it is a very delicate piece and the stress of travel can cause minor breakage that need to be restored. Please review images in the slideshow for a full overview of condition.
