CRISTOFORO VICARI | Psyche with a butterfly

Overall the condition of the marble is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a few small chips and losses to the foliage and rockwork. The surface is a little dry and roughened, including to the girl's limbs. This may indicate that he marble has been in a damp environment or has been outside in a relatively sheltered position. There are some wax layers to the surface including to the girl's proper left leg. The girl's proper right little finger and ring finger are restored. The butterfly is replaced and has some restored breaks. There are naturally occurring inclusions to the surface and minor veining to the marble consistent with the material. There is a reattachment to the top corner of the proper left wing and to the top corner of the lower proper right wing. There is minor general wear to the serpentine pedestal.
"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."

The Swiss-Italian artist Cristoforo Vicari (1846-1913) was born in Caslano and trained at the Accademia di Brera in Milan. After spending some time in Zurich, he exhibited several of his works in Italy. In the city of Lugano, he is mostly known for his marble sculpture of San Carlo at the Palazzo della Curia.  The present exuberant marble shows Psyche, depicted as a young girl, looking down at the butterfly perching on her arm. Depicting Psyche as a young girl, with short, butterfly wings, was an iconography famously executed by Vicari's French contemporary Auguste Moreau (1834-1914). The marble is further reminescent of Italian genre sculpture of the late 19th century, including Cesare Lapini's Sorpresa and Angelo Bottinelli's Prima Posa (both were sold at Sotheby's, the former in New York, 7 May 2015, lot 58; the latter in these rooms, 16 December 2015, lot 75). The abundance of leaves and flowers wrapping around Psyche's legs on the present marble show the sculptor's skill in carving different suface textures. Psyche seems to be mid-leap, making this a dynamic and intricately carved marble. 

RELATED LITERATURE
V. Vicario, Gli Scultori Italiani dal Neoclassicismo al Liberty, vol. 2, 1994, p. 1094; E. Bénézit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs, vol. 14, 1999, p. 207.