Little Laughing Woman
Medardo Rosso
Italian, 1858–1928
Details
Title
Little Laughing Woman
Artist/Maker
Medardo Rosso (Italian, 1858–1928)
Date
1890
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
13 5/8 x 9 7/8 x 11 inches
Credit
Purchase in recognition of John W. Spiegel, Chairman of the Board of Directors, 1997-1998, through prior acquisitions from Dr. Nancy Walls, a friend of the Museum, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Glenn, Richard and Hamilton Smith, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Grant, Jr., Elizabeth Berry Reid, Mrs. Inman Sanders, The Children's Fund, Mrs. Harry E. Ward and Harry E. Ward, Jr., Mrs. William R. Hammond, and Mrs. Kate Sessions Marsh. Acquired in memory of Reverend Wilbur Fisk Glenn and Catherine Sanders Clay and in honor of Mrs. Howard C. Smith and Florence Davant Lawton
Accession #
1997.41
On View
Currently not on view
Medardo Rosso was one of a small group of artists attempting to create the sculptural equivalent of Impressionism by capturing in three dimensions the fleeting qualities of light and movement.Called Petite Rieuse, or Little Laughing Woman—to distinguish it from his Grande Rieuse of 1891—this work is a portrait of the cabaret singer Bianca Garavaglia (Bianca di Toledo). Rosso made several versions of her portrait, experimenting with the neck and collar, which he fragmented or eliminated entirely.