ARTIST
Ettore Forti (Italian, 1850-1940)

TITLE
A Surprise Visitor

MEDIUM
Oil on canvas

DIMENSIONS
16½ x 25¾ in. (41.9 x 65.4 cm.)

KNOWN PROVENANCE
Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 27 May 1993, lot 114.
Simon Bonython, acquired at the above sale.
European Art Sale No. 19724, Christie's, New York, 21 April 2021, lot 70.
MD Museum, acquired at the above sale.

ACCESSION NUMBER
2021.1

NOTES
Signed and inscribed 'E. Forti/Roma' (lower right).

Ettore Forti was known for painting elegant, Neo-Pompeian scenes of Ancient Roman life which were popular during the late-Victorian period. His paintings show a lot of detail in them, from the painting’s rug showing a scene from Ancient Egypt, to the details of the walls and various decorations. This elegant scene takes place in Pompeii, where the older brother frightens his little sister with a theater mask, often used by actors in ancient times to portray their characters. An interesting part of the painting is in the background showing a plume of smoke coming out of Mount Vesuvius, which would eventually erupt in the year 79 AD.