Skip to main content

Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Italian, 1842-1931

Giovanni Boldini was an Italian genre and portrait painter who lived and worked in Paris for most of his career. Boldini was born in Ferrara and was the son of a painter of religious subjects. In 1862, he went to Florence for six years to study and pursue painting. He only infrequently attended classes at the Academy of Fine Arts, but in Florence, met other realist painters known as the Macchiaioli, who were Italian precursors to Impressionism. Their influence is seen in Boldini's landscapes which show his spontaneous response to nature, although it is for the portraits that he became best known. Moving to London, Boldini attained success as a portraitist. He completed portraits of premier members of society including Lady Holland and the Duchess of Westminster. From 1872, he lived in Paris, where he became a friend of Edgar Degas. He became the most fashionable portrait painter in Paris in the late 19th century, with a dashing style of painting which shows some Macchiaioli influence and a brio reminiscent of the work of younger artists, such as John Singer Sargent and Paul Helleu. He was nominated commissioner of the Italian section of the Paris Exposition in 1889 and received the Légion d'honneur for this appointment. In 1897, Boldini had a solo exhibition in New York. He participated in the Venice Biennale in 1895, 1903, 1905 and 1912. He died in Paris on July 11th, 1931. Giovanni Boldini is a character in the ballet Franca Florio, regina di Palermo, written in 2007 by the Italian composer Lorenzo Ferrero, which depicts the story of Donna Franca, a famous Sicilian aristocrat whose exceptional beauty inspired him and many other artists, musicians, poets and emperors during the Belle Époque. A Boldini portrait of his former muse Marthe de Florian, a French actress, was discovered in a Paris flat in late 2010, hidden away from view on the premises that were unvisited for 70 years. The portrait has never been listed, exhibited or published and the flat belonged to de Florian's granddaughter who went to live in the South of France at the outbreak of the Second World War and never returned. A love-note and a biographical reference to the work painted in 1888, when the actress was 24, cemented its authenticity. A full-length portrait of the lady in the same clothing and accessories, but less provocative, hangs in the New Orleans Museum of Art. The discovery of his painting in the 70-years-empty apartment forms the background to Michelle Gable's 2014 novel A Paris Apartment.

to
2
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
2
1
1
1
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
5
808
408
306
282
3
2
1
Artist: Giovanni Boldini
Giovanni Boldini drawing of a lady, Italian 19th Century
By Giovanni Boldini
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Giovanni Boldini (Italian, 1842-1931) Etude de femme au ruban noir Signed with atelier stamp (lower left), further inscribed, signed and dated by Emilia Boldini (the artist’s wife) `no 77 le_ atelier Boldini. Emilia Boldini Carbona 1931’ (on the reverse) Black crayon on paper 11.7/8 x 8.7/8 in. (30 x 22.5 cm.) Emilia’s inscription on the reverse from the year of his death. Giovanni Boldini was an Italian genre and portrait painter who lived and worked in Paris for most of his career. According to Time magazine, he was known as the "Master of Swish" because of his flowing style, exemplified by the confident strokes in this fine example. Boldini was born in Ferrara, the son of a painter of religious subjects, and in 1862 went to Florence for six years to study and pursue painting. He only infrequently attended classes at the Academy of Fine Arts, but in Florence, met other realist painters known as the Macchiaioli, who were Italian precursors to Impressionism. Their influence is seen in Boldini's landscapes which show his spontaneous response to nature, although it is for his portraits that he became best known. Moving to London, Boldini attained success as a portraitist, painting notable members of society including Lady Holland and the Duchess of Westminster...
Category

Early 20th Century Impressionist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Crayon

Nude from behind - Presumed portrait of Lina Cavalieri
By Giovanni Boldini
Located in BELEYMAS, FR
Giovanni BOLDINI (Ferrara 1842 - Paris 1931) Nude from behind, presumed portrait of Lina Cavalieri (1874-1944) Graphite paper H. 280 mm; L. 255 mm Signed lower right, and dated 1901 ...
Category

Early 1900s French School Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper

Portrait of Lucie Gérard by Giovanni Boldini
By Giovanni Boldini
Located in New Orleans, LA
Giovanni Boldini 1842-1931 Italian Portrait of Lucie Gérard by Giovanni Boldini Signed “Boldini” (lower right) Pastel on canvas This exceptional portrait was composed by the great Giovanni Boldini, one of the most important portrait painters of the Belle Époque. The charming work captures the young, elegant French...
Category

19th Century Post-Impressionist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Pastel

Related Items
Drawing, pastel, ink and colored pencils. "Free spirits"
Located in Bogotá, Bogotá
Pastel, Pencil, petal flowers, Color and Ink on Paper. The base of this drawing is Fabriano paper of 120g /m2. I use natural dyes of flowers, herbs, leaves, bark of trees as the fir...
Category

2010s Expressionist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Ink, Pencil, Color Pencil

Male Nude Pencil Drawing by Bernard Sleigh RBSA (circa 1900-1920)
Located in London, GB
Male Nude pencil drawing on wove paper (circa 1900-1920), by Bernard Sleigh, RBSA (Provenance: from the artist's studio). An exquisite drawing which is possibly a study for a larger ...
Category

Early 20th Century Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pencil

'A Young Lady', Flapper, Roaring 20's, Figural, Portrait of a Woman, Figural
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Painted in the style of Frederick Appleyard. Initialed lower left, 'FR.A' and created circa 1925. Bearing signature, verso. An elegant and psychologically-penetrating pastel study of a fashionable young brunette with gray-green eyes, shown standing and gazing to the viewer's left. This notable British landscape and portrait artist attended Scarborough School of Art where he studied under the genre and landscape painter Albert Strange. He then proceeded to the National Art Training School at South Kensington and from there, on the recommendation of the artist John Sparkes, to the Royal Academy. At the Royal Academy, he was met with immediate success, first receiving the Turner Gold Medal, followed by the Creswick Prize and the Landseer Scholarship. Frederick Appleyard was a painter of landscapes, portraits and allegorical compositions of the decorative kind frequently associated with English Impressionism. Over the course of a long and storied career, he received a number of prestigious public commissions that included mural decorations for the Royal Academy of Art. He exhibited for many years at the Royal Academy (1900-1935), the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and the Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts. From 1918-1950, he was also a regular exhibitor at the Royal West of England Academy of which he was elected a full member in 1926. Appleyard's work is well-represented in private and public collections including in the permanent collection of the Tate Gallery which holds 'A Secret', a Chantrey Bequest purchase from the Royal Academy Exhibition...
Category

1920s Impressionist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Laid Paper

Modern Dancers
By Mick Micheyl
Located in London, GB
'Modern Dancers', pastel, ink and gouache on fine art paper by French artist, singer and sculptor, Mick Micheyl (1964). Two elegant young men are depicted in a graceful dancing pose, arms outstretched, their lithe bodies so agile and limber. Perhaps one of the dancers was her friend, Philippe, to whom the painting is dedicated on the bottom. The dedication says: 'For you Philippe, all my friendship'. Signed: 'Mick Micheyl'. The work has been newly framed and glazed after having been acquired in the S. of France. It is in fair vintage condition commensurate with age showing minor blemishing on the paper. Upon request a video of the piece can be provided. Dimensions with Frame: H 75 cm / 29.5" W 61 cm / 24" Dimensions without Frame: H 56 cm / 22" W 42 cm / 16.5" About the Artist: Mick Micheyl (1922 - 2019) was born in Lyon and had a busy and rewarding artistic career as a singer, producer, reviewer, metal sculptor, artist. After having received training at the School of Fine Arts in Lyon she became a painter and decorator in the theatre but then commenced a career in the musical activities of a theatrical troupe. She won the ABC competition in Paris in 1949 with a song, Le Marchand de Poésie, which she composed herself. She then performed in many cabarets: L'Échelle de Jacob, Harlequin and Liberty's. In the 1950s she was one of the most important French cabaret singers of that period. One of her titles, 'Un Gamin de Paris', became one of the French standards and also performed by Yves Montand and Robert Clary...
Category

1960s Modern Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Ink, Gouache

Untitled (Seated Man Facing Left)
By Mark Beard
Located in New York, NY
Conté crayon on paper Signed and dated, l.r. This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Mark Beard, born in 1956 in Salt Lake City, now lives in New York City. ...
Category

1970s Realist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Conté

Four Faces - Portrait Study in Red & Green by Clayton Anderson
By Clayton Anderson
Located in Soquel, CA
Red and green pastel portrait study of four faces in different poses, one male and one female, by Visionary artist Clayton Anderson (American, b. 1943). Signed and dated "Clayton 197...
Category

1970s American Impressionist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Archival Paper

Academy of seated nude of 19th century Italian school
Located in Florence, IT
Seated male nude that falls fully within the academic "model from life" production of the early 19th century, as also seems confirmed by the "Titus-like" hairdo of the effigy. The s...
Category

Early 19th Century Other Art Style Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pencil

Disegno accademia nudo maschile del XIX secolo su carta
Located in Florence, IT
Questa tipologia di disegno rientra pienamente nelle "accademie" ovvero degli studi dal vivo su modello (che poteva essere un modello in carne ed ossa oppure un'opera antica)che eran...
Category

19th Century Other Art Style Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Pencil

Charcoal Nude of African American Woman with Head Scarf
Located in Fredericksburg, VA
This captivating charcoal drawing depicts the upper half of a nude African American woman adorned with a wrapped headscarf. The contrast between the delicate curves of her bare shoul...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Charcoal, Paper

Gibson Girls - Set of Two 1920's Portraits, Vintage Fashion Illustrations
Located in Soquel, CA
Gorgeous pair of two 1920's watercolor portraits of Gibson girls, one in blue and one in pink, by Charles Hollman (Dutch, 1877-1953). Each portrait renders...
Category

1920s American Impressionist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Rare Modernist Hungarian Rabbi Pastel Drawing Gouache Painting Judaica Art Deco
By Hugó Scheiber
Located in Surfside, FL
Rabbi in the synagogue at prayer wearing tallit and tefillin. Hugó Scheiber (born 29 September 1873 in Budapest – died there 7 March 1950) was a Hungarian modernist painter. Hugo Scheiber was brought from Budapest to Vienna at the age of eight where his father worked as a sign painter for the Prater Theater. At fifteen, he returned with his family to Budapest and began working during the day to help support them and attending painting classes at the School of Design in the evening, where Henrik Papp was one of his teachers. He completed his studies in 1900. His work was at first in a post-Impressionistic style but from 1910 onward showed his increasing interest in German Expressionism and Futurism. This made it of little interest to the conservative Hungarian art establishment. However, in 1915 he met the great Italian avant-gardist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and the two painters became close friends. Marinetti invited him to join the Futurist Movement. The uniquely modernist style that he developed was, however, closer to German Expressionism than to Futurism and eventually drifted toward an international art deco manner similar to Erté's. In 1919, he and his friend Béla Kádar held an exhibition at the Hevesy Salon in Vienna. It was a great success and at last caused the Budapest Art Museum to acquire some of Scheiber's drawings. Encouraged, Scheiber came back to live in Vienna in 1920. A turning point in Scheiber's career came a year later, when Herwarth Walden, founder of Germany's leading avant-garde periodical, Der Sturm, and of the Sturm Gallery in Berlin, became interested in Scheiber's work. Scheiber moved to Berlin in 1922, and his paintings soon appeared regularly in Walden's magazine and elsewhere. Exhibitions of his work followed in London, Rome, La Paz, and New York. Scheiber's move to Germany coincided with a significant exodus of Hungarian artists to Berlin, including Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Sandor Bortnyik. There had been a major split in ideology among the Hungarian avant-garde. The Constructivist and leader of the Hungarian avantgarde, Lajos Kassák (painted by Hugó Scheiber in 1930) believed that art should relate to all the needs of contemporary humankind. Thus he refused to compromise the purity of his style to reflect the demands of either the ruling class or socialists and communists. The other camp believed that an artist should be a figurehead for social and political change. The fall out and factions that resulted from this politicisation resulted in most of the Hungarian avant gardists leaving Vienna for Berlin. Hungarian émigrés made up one of the largest minority groups in the German capital and the influx of their painters had a significant effect on Hungarian and international art. Another turning point of Scheiber's career came in 1926, with the New York exhibition of the Société Anonyme, organized by Katherine Dreier. Scheiber and other important avant garde artists from more than twenty-three countries were represented. In 1933, Scheiber was invited by Marinetti to participate in the great meeting of the Futurists held in Rome in late April 1933, Mostra Nazionale d’Arte Futurista where he was received with great enthusiasm. Gradually, the Hungarian artists began to return home, particularly with the rise of Nazism in Germany. Kádar went back from Berlin in about 1932 and Scheiber followed in 1934. He was then at the peak of his powers and had a special flair in depicting café and cabaret life in vivid colors, sturdily abstracted forms and spontaneous brush strokes. Scheiber depicted cosmopolitan modern life using stylized shapes and expressive colors. His preferred subjects were cabaret and street scenes, jazz musicians, flappers, and a series of self-portraits (usually with a cigar). his principal media being gouache and oil. He was a member of the prestigious New Society of Artists (KUT—Képzőművészek Új Társasága)and seems to have weathered Hungary's post–World War II transition to state-communism without difficulty. He continued to be well regarded, eventually even receiving the posthumous honor of having one of his images used for a Russian Soviet postage stamp (see image above). Hugó Scheiber died in Budapest in 1950. Paintings by Hugó Scheiber form part of permanent museum collections in Budapest (Hungarian National Museum), Pecs (Jannus Pannonius Museum), Vienna, New York, Bern and elsewhere. His work has also been shown in many important exhibitions, including: "The Nell Walden Collection," Kunsthaus Zürich (1945) "Collection of the Société Anonyme," Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Connecticut (1950) "Hugó Scheiber: A Commemorative Exhibition," Hungarian National Museum, Budapest (1964) "Ungarische Avantgarde," Galleria del Levante, Munich (1971) "Paris-Berlin 1900-1930," Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (1978) "L’Art en Hongrie, 1905-1920," Musée d’Art et l’Industrie, Saint-Etienne (1980) "Ungarische Avantgarde in der Weimarer Republik," Marburg (1986) "Modernizmus," Eresz & Maklary Gallery, Budapest (2006) "Hugó Scheiber & Béla Kádár," Galerie le Minotaure, Paris and Tel Aviv (2007) Hugó Scheiber's paintings continue to be regularly sold at Sotheby's, Christie's, Gillen's Arts (London), Papillon Gallery (Los Angeles) and other auction houses. He was included in the exhibition The Art Of Modern Hungary 1931 and other exhibitions along with Vilmos Novak Aba, Count Julius Batthyany, Pal Bor, Bela Buky, Denes Csanky, Istvan Csok, Bela Czobel, Peter Di Gabor, Bela Ivanyi Grunwald, Baron Ferenc Hatvany, Lipot Herman, Odon Marffy, C. Pal Molnar...
Category

Early 20th Century Modern Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Pastel, Watercolor, Gouache

Clown with a Hat (Clown Portrait #9)
By Marjorie May Blake
Located in Soquel, CA
Watercolor portrait of a clown by Marjorie Blake (American, 1920-1994). Signed "Blake" in the lower right corner. Unframed. Marjorie May Gulley Blake w...
Category

1960s American Impressionist Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Previously Available Items
Lady in a White Dress
By Giovanni Boldini
Located in New Orleans, LA
Giovanni Boldini 1842-1931 Italian Lady in a White Dress Signed “Boldini” (lower right) Watercolor on cardboard This exceptional watercolor w...
Category

19th Century Modern Giovanni Boldini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Cardboard

Giovanni Boldini drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Giovanni Boldini drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Giovanni Boldini in crayon, paper, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Post-Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Giovanni Boldini drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Antonio Lopez, David Stephens, and Paul César Helleu. Giovanni Boldini drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $7,757 and tops out at $448,500, while the average work can sell for $33,286.

Recently Viewed

View All