Eve, naked & seated
John Warrington Wood (1839-1886)
English
Date : ca.1869
Dimensions : 104 cm (Height)
Material : White Carrara marble
Signature : “J. Warrington Wood, Roma”
The sculpture Eve, Naked & Seated by British artist John Warrington Wood (1839–1886) portrays a nude female figure in a calm, introspective pose. Inspired by the biblical Eve, the composition revisits the timeless theme of temptation. Her head turns gently to the side, and a serpent lies at her feet—an unmistakable allusion to the Book of Genesis. Yet her expression remains serene, suggesting contemplation rather than shame.
Carved in Rome, where Warrington Wood established his studio in 1865, the sculpture bears the inscription “J. Warrington Wood, Roma.” The model was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1869, during a prolific period in the artist’s career. Rooted in the neoclassical tradition, Eve emphasizes idealized human form, anatomical precision, and psychological depth. The fluid treatment of her limbs, the soft rendering of her skin, and the graceful modeling of her hair all reflect the artist’s technical mastery.
The figure rests on a delicately sculpted base, enhancing the composition’s sculptural presence. Her posture, simultaneously relaxed and alert, communicates an internal tension—a quiet reckoning between innocence and knowledge. The smooth curvature of her body and the subtle turn of her torso are echoed by the polished marble pedestal, creating a luminous harmony.
John Warrington Wood is celebrated for his biblical and mythological themes, as well as his refined portraiture. Eve is emblematic of his Victorian sensibility, blending classical beauty with spiritual reflection. It also affirms Rome’s importance as a 19th-century artistic hub for British sculptors in search of technical excellence and cultural gravitas.
Ultimately, Eve, Naked & Seated captures a moment suspended between temptation and grace, inviting viewers to reflect on beauty, morality, and the enduring symbolism of the first woman in Western art.
The Bather
Raffaello Romanelli (1856-1928)
Date : 19th century
Dimensions : 84 x 71,5 x 49 cm
Material : White Carrara marble and veined marble bath
Signature : “R. Romanelli”
This exquisite marble sculpture, titled The Bather or Flower Basin with a Nude Drying Herself, captures a serene and intimate moment with refined elegance. A young woman sits poised on an ornate marble basin, gracefully drying her feet with a cloth. With head gently lowered and relaxed posture, her expression conveys introspection and quiet calm.
Carved in luminous white Carrara marble, the figure showcases the sculptor’s masterful skill in rendering both flesh and fabric. Soft contours flow through the supple modeling of her limbs, while her long, wavy hair cascades over her shoulders, accentuating the harmony of her form. The intricately veined marble basin contrasts with her smooth softness, adding visual richness and organic depth. Beneath her, the base—crafted to resemble rough-hewn stone—grounds the scene, anchoring the composition in sculptural solidity.
Crucially, this version is signed “R. Romanelli,” confirming its direct authenticity and attribution to Italian sculptor Raffaello Romanelli. Measuring 84 × 71.5 × 49 cm, it notably differs from a smaller variant offered at Sotheby’s Beijing in 2013, which was executed in a different marble and inscribed as a studio piece crafted under supervision.
By contrast, the present sculpture is an earlier and much rarer work—executed personally by Romanelli himself. This distinction significantly enhances both its artistic and historical value, making it an exceptional treasure for collectors and connoisseurs of 19th‑century Italian sculpture.
The Bather beautifully embodies Romanelli’s hallmark themes—intimacy, classical beauty, and the poetic celebration of everyday gestures. Through sensitive modeling and refined composition, the work testifies to the sculptor’s capacity to elevate a simple moment into an enduring expression of grace and quiet elegance.
