Prince Paul Troubetzkoy

Eugenio Pellini (1869-1934), acquired as a gift from the artist

Overall the condition of the plaster is good with minor dirt and wear consistent with age. There are original metal armatures inside the plaster which have been revealed due to loss of plaster, such as at the proper left arm and at the proper right side of the neck. There is a slight fissure running around the neck which could suggest the head is reattached (though this isn’t clear). There are a few minor chips to the plaster including to the hair on the proper left side of the forehead. There are a few small chips and abrasions around the edges of the dress at the bottom. There is a lacuna at the proper right side of the dress at the bottom. There are a few further very small lacunae. There are a few small scratches and some original air bubbles. There is an added patch of plaster at the back on the left side; this may be original.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This elegant statuette portrays Carla Erba (1879-1939), daughter of the musician Luigi Erba, a member of a prominent Milanese family, and from 1900 wife of Duke Giuseppe Visconti di Modrene; among their children was the celebrated film director, Luchino Visconti. Troubetzkoy first portrayed the young Carla in 1895, in a now-lost plaster which received high praise from contemporary critics. The present model appears to be a variant, which is known in one cast in bronze, as well as another plaster, with a dedicatory inscription, in the Museo del Paesaggio, Verbania Pallanza (inv. no. 294).

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Piantoni and P. Venturoli (eds.), Paolo Troubetzkoy: 1866-1938, exh. cat. Verbania Pallanza, Museo del Paesaggio and Palazzo Viani Dugnani, 1990, p. 107, no. 37