19thc painting of Dante & Beatrice by E.N. Valenti

19thc painting of Dante & Beatrice signed E.N. Valenti
Painting: 15.5" x 20"
Frame: 28" x 32".---------------------------------------------------------------------Davids notes: We are not sure who the artist is, there is a Egidio Valenti who was born in 1897 but this work appears to be from the 1880s.My guess is there were hundreds of E.Valenti artists with that first letter and last name in Italy at this time, also in Europe and America.The work is quite good, probably academy trained, but not necessarily.The fact that a plaque was made indicates the artist was somewhat important in the late 19th or early 20th century, but again, not necessarily.This painting along with the other old master type painting in the sale(lot 72) were brought in to the gallery by a man who appeared to be in his 60's, and said they were inherited from his grandfather.They had been in their house in New Jersey for some 50 odd years.--------------------I believed the story, both paintings were covered with dirt, varnish discoloration, grime, etc.Neither appeared to have been cleaned in 50 years.Our restorer did a nice job bringing them back to life.-----------------------------------------------The theme of Beatrice and Dante was a common one in 19th century academic painting, Dante first falls in love with his muse Beatrice in a church,and it is an excuse for artists to show off their skills at depicting period dress, architecture, foreground and backround perspective and other academic challenges.This artist did a great job of conquering all those hurtles, the painting is a fine and beautiful example of this type of genre.
Condition Report: Good condition overall