This exquisite 19th-century portrait depicts a young lady lost in the riddles of love.

She gazes towards the petals of a daisy, almost too fearful to look - “he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me…”.

The artist, Adriano Cecchi (1850-1936), was an Italian master of cherubic figures and porcelain skin. Training at the Academy in Florence, he learned the nuances of the Renaissance painters and applied his teachings to the modern world. His skin tones are remarkable for their flawless appearance, akin to a born-again Raphael immersed in 19th-century vanity.

Note the statuesque stillness of this beautiful portrayal as Cecchi captures a poignant moment. It’s a manifestation of the space between love and what could have been. She’s immersed between worlds and reliant solely on the fortune of a daisy. There’s a tension in beauty - and this is it.

The portrait is housed within a remarkable carved giltwood frame with lavish ornaments.

Please note that this painting will need to be crated if shipped overseas. A cost for the crate will be added on during checkout.

Learn more about Adriano Cecchi in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 32” x 38” / 81cm x 96cm
Year of creation: c. 1890
Condition: Artwork presents well. One small patch on the reverse. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £32,000 achieved for an oil painting in 2002.