A delightful pair of three quarter length portraits of Italian women by Federico Andreotti. The first work shows a young woman in fine clothing with a basket of flowers in her hands. The second painting depicts a traditionally dressed woman holding a Chianti Fiasco and other wine bottles.

Federico or Federigo Andreotti was a genre and figure painter born in Florence on 6 March, 1847. He showed artistic talent from an early age and at 9 years old began receiving art lessons from the miniature painter Angiolo Tricca (1817-1884). At the age of 17, he attended the Art Academy in Florence where he studied under Enrico Pollastrini (1817-1876), the President of the Academy. Whilst there he won a competition and made a name for himself by producing amusing genre scenes and costume studies. His success attracted the patronage of wealthy and notable clients including the King of Italy who commissioned him to paint a large historical painting of Savonarola. As well as working as an artist, he also taught art at the Florentine Academy where he was made Professor in 1879.

During the same year, he began exhibiting abroad and made his debut at the Royal Academy in London, where he continued to show his works until 1883. He is believed to have spent time in England around this period where he also exhibited at other galleries including the Royal Manchester Institution, United Galleries, Arthur Tooth & Sons and Thomas Richardson & co.

He spent most of his life in Florence where he died on 30 October, 1930. His painting of Savonarola is held by the Italian government. Other examples of his work can be found in a number of UK public art collections including the Blackburn Museum, Fylde Town Hall, Glasgow Museum, Hawarth Art Gallery and Towneley Hall Art Museum.

© Benton Fine Art