Pietro Gabrini (1856-1926) Orientalist Watercolor Depicting Arabian Harem

This exceptional watercolor by Pietro Gabrini (Italian 1856-1926) depicts a haren scene with four women and their attendants. Signed P. Gabrini Roma.  Period giltwood and gilded gesso frame measures 37.5 a 51.5 in.  Condition is good. There is some old water damage alon gthe upper right corner.

Gabrini studied with Guglielmo de Sanctis and was a member of the Associazione degli Acquarellisti Romani.  He exhibited in Paris, Quebec, Chicago and apparently London, and is known for his genre figurative, landscape and seascape paintings in oil and watercolor.  His watercolor, The Grand Canal, Venice, can be found in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The artist's works are widely collected and have appeared periodically at major auction.

Since 2009 Christie's has offered four notable works by the artist:  8,750 GBP (hammer price) for an oil in lot 137 of their London sale on 4/16/15; 12,500 GBP (hammer) for an oil in lot 104 of their London sale on 1/22/09; 8,750 GBP (hammer) for an oil in lot 142 of their London sale on 9/27/16; and $10,000-15,000 (estimate) for a pair of small watercolors (18 x 24 in) in lot 66 of their New York sale on 4/30/04.

Notable sales at Sotheby's include the sale of an oil, 33 x 58 in, for $22,800 in lot 194 of their sale in New York on 4/23/04, and another figurative oil, 25 x 43 in, for $10,625 in lot 107 in their New York sale on 1/31/09.