3-017-030 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Grape Gathering near Naples", by A. De Curzon, in the Exhibition of Fine Arts at Paris, 1864. Engraving of a painting. 'The subject of this picture, by an artist whose reputation has long been established, was suggested by Lamartine's "Graziella," a romance full of picturesque description fitted to inspire a painter of sentiment. The scene depicted is that in which Graziella is employed in grape-gathering with her two young brothers. The landscape portion of the tableau, though of secondary importance, has been painted with care, and faithfully represents a vintage scene at Procida, near Naples, where it is the custom, as indeed throughout Southern Italy, to train the vines up trees. Although the subject is simple, M. De Curzon has imparted such a truthful beauty to his figures that in gazing at his canvas we feel especially attracted to the contemplation of these charming Italian faces. The colouring of this picture has been admitted by all the critics to be of the first order of merit; and, altogether, M. De Curzon's "Vendange de Procida" may be looked upon as one of the rare examples of genius in the Salon of 1864'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.