Stefano Bruzzi (Italian, 1835-1911)

Stefano Bruzzi started his career in Piacenza as a pupil of Bernardino Massari. At the age of nineteen he was sent to Rome by his father to carry on his studies. In 1863 he moved with his family to Florence where he befriended the main exponents of the Macchiaioli movement, amongst whom was the leading figure Giovanni Fattori (see lot 34).
Bruzzi's oeuvre is directly inspired by nature and contains strong poetic pastoral themes, focusing on daily life and its humble realities.
The present painting, which has been engraved by Celestino Turletti, had immediate success. The art critic Luigi Chirtani considered the present work as the artist's masterpiece: “The grand lines almost resemble a monument... and the gentle expression of the group express a sense of curiosity and surprise”.