This street scene of Firenze was purchased by my grandparents from the artist, Rodolfo Marma, who they came to know after many trips to Italy. Marmaioli Rodolfo 'Marma', (1923-1997) who signed his paintings R Marma was fond of street and human scenes, but also painted a few abstracts. His works can be found in public and private collections in Europe and the United States. Some of his work is in the White House collections and the San Antonio Museum in Texas. In Florence, his paintings are in the Modern Art Gallery of Palazzo Pitti and in the Museum of the Oblate complex. He is collected around the globe. The watercolor is signed and titled in the right lower corner. I don't know if a date is under the mat, but it was painted in the 1950s-1960s.

The Story:
The family story is Marma offered to mat and frame it. The frame was used and the mat, cut by hand, shows his pencil marks and cuts too far into the mat, a result of much "fun" had that day. They planned on framing it properly, but decided it needed to stay true to the wonderful character and artist that Rodolfo was. My parents told me that my grandparents were definitely friends of Rodolfo Marma, as they met him briefly when they joined my grandparents on a trip, however, they always questioned the mat and frame story as my grandfather often quoted Mark Twain's saying "Never Let The Truth Get In The Way Of A Good Story". The provenance of a hand printed receipt from Marma used to hang on the back but it disappeared who knows when. As a decorator, I have been tempted to get it re-matted, but what if my grandfather was telling the truth? I leave it up to you the buyer as I know regardless of what you choose it will be loved in the same way we have loved this sweet serene scene.


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: The vintage three step wood frame has wear to it's gilding mainly in the top left corner. along with minor marks consistent with age. (see photos) The green on the frame was painted at some point after the frame was made as there are various thin lines of green paint on some of the gold. I believe the frame is older than the painting. When I inherited it many years ago I re-taped it into the frame as the original tape was brittle and falling off. Read the story of the frame and matting in the description for further condition details.

Origin:
Italy

Materials & Techniques:
Watercolor

Details:
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Art Subjects: Other
Frame Type: Framed
Country of Origin: Italy

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; The vintage three step wood frame has wear to it's gilding mainly in the top left corner. along with minor marks consistent with age. (see photos) The green on the frame was painted at some point after the frame was made as there are various thin lines of green paint on some of the gold. I believe the frame is older than the painting. When I inherited it many years ago I re-taped it into the frame as the original tape was brittle and falling off. Read the story of the frame and matting in the description for further condition details.