The Bather
Raffaello Romanelli (1856-1928)
Italian
Date : 19th century
Dimensions : 84 x 71,5 x 49 cm
Material : White Carrara marble and veined marble bath
Signature : “R. Romanelli”
Provenance : Private French collection (Lyon), held for three generations.
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, 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.
