Silvestro Lega (1826 - 1895)
To the gardens

To the gardens
Technique: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: 17 x 10cm

In this drawing of the most intimate of the Macchiaioli Masters, the particular use of the pencil which does not define, but cancels the contours (which it will do in parallel with the use of color, in the artistic production of the last years of life). For this reason, it could be suggested that the sketch can be dated between 1888 and 1890, the happy years spent by Lega in the company of the Bandini family. This composition would in fact refer to the famous painting "At the Villa di Poggio Piano" (1888-89, private collection), in which, however, only Signora Clementina Fiorini appears in Bandini with two of her five daughters. In the drawing presented here instead, if we wanted to continue with this suggestion, all five girls would be portrayed, together with their mother. Note how on the skirts of the two figures in the foreground you can see some writing, unfortunately not easily decipherable. Within frame.