This portrait of the honourable lawyer Cesare Sarfatti was painted by Giacomo Grosso in 1926. Grosso, a Piedmontese painter born in Cambiano in 1860, became one of the most sought-after portraitists of his era, exhibiting across Europe and maintaining an international practice that extended to South America.
The work exemplifies Grosso’s mature style as a portraitist, a reputation he had cultivated through decades of exhibition at the Venice Biennale (from 1895), the Turin Promotrici, and major international salons in Paris, Munich, and beyond. By the 1920s, when this portrait was created, Grosso had already established himself as a master of the commissioned portrait genre, balancing formal representation with naturalistic observation.
About Giacomo Grosso
Grosso studied at the Accademia Albertina in Turin from 1873 under Andrea Gastaldi. After early success at the Esposizione della Società di Incoraggiamento alle Belle Arti di Torino in 1882, he developed an international profile through sustained engagement with European art centres, particularly Paris. His practice encompassed portraiture, historical subjects, and commissions from Argentina following his first journey there in 1901.
Details
- Creator: Giacomo Grosso (1860–1938)
- Year: 1926
- Subject: Honourable lawyer Cesare Sarfatti
- Medium and current location: Not documented
Frequently asked questions
Who was Giacomo Grosso?
Grosso was an Italian painter born in Cambiano, Piedmont, in 1860 and trained at the Accademia Albertina in Turin. He became internationally acclaimed as a portraitist, exhibiting at the Venice Biennale from its first edition in 1895, as well as in Paris, Munich, and San Francisco.
What is known about Cesare Sarfatti?
Cesare Sarfatti held the title of honourable lawyer (avvocato). Beyond his profession and social standing, which warranted a commissioned portrait by one of Italy’s leading portraitists, further biographical details are not documented in available sources.
Where is the painting now?
The current location and institutional status of the portrait are not documented in available sources.
