The 19th-Century Marble Bust of Francesca Riozzi-Gualano by Georgine Schwartze at Rijksmuseum

This white marble bust by Georgine Schwartze, created around 1885, portrays Francesca Riozzi-Gualano in traditional Italian dress from the Lazio region. The artwork captures an idealized, bucolic aesthetic popular in 19th-century art, reflecting the shared artistic interests of the Schwartze sisters.

The artwork is a white marble bust of Francesca Riozzi-Gualano, created by the sculptor Georgine Schwartze around 1885. Riozzi-Gualano is depicted wearing the traditional dress of her native region, Lazio, in Italy. This portrayal aligns with the 19th-century artistic trend of idealizing rural life, a theme also explored by Schwartze's sister, Thérèse, with whom she shared a studio. The bust is mounted on an inscribed, profiled square pedestal of white marble, bearing the subject's name 'FRANCESCA' on the front and the artist's signature 'Georgine Schwartze' on the back. The work is significant for its subject matter and the artist's execution in marble, utilizing the technique of carving. The dimensions of the piece, including the bust and its separate socle, are detailed, and it is noted as an acquisition made in 2023 through the Vrouwen van het Rijksmuseum Fonds. The artwork is in the public domain, reflecting its age and cultural significance.