(Florence 1854–1919) Afternoon Tea, signed Arturo Ricci, oil on canvas, 77 x 104 cm, framed, (GG)

The present lot shows an array of objects typical of Arturo Ricci’s interiors, including 18th century neo-classical furniture. The room is decorated with silks, curtains, paintings, sculpture and porcelains.
In this lively interior the figures embody a notion of leisure and luxury, such as the lady sitting, holding a painted fan and dressed in a stunning pink and white satin gown. The man beside her is also wearing an equally sumptuous satin coat. A subtle flirtation takes place between them.
In the background a smiling young maid is offering biscuits to a man dressed in a costly satin coat, typical of the 18th century. He is clearly enjoying her company. Tea is served on a guéridon.

Arturo Ricci specialized in elegant scenes of bourgeois life. These paintings were enormously popular with the nouveau-riche of the 19th century, drawn to the past for images of the golden age of elegance and sophistication. The eighteenth century subjects and the lavish interior scenes were of enormous appeal to collectors throughout Europe and the United States.
The artist achieved huge popularity in his lifetime as a painter of figures, mostly women, dressed in 18th century costume. The rooms are always richly decorated with elegant figures, meeting to discuss the latest gossip or to listen to a concert.