Gemito - Bust, Scugnizzo Napoletano - 43 cm - Bronze

This splendid bronze bust is a work by the famous Neapolitan sculptor Vincenzo Gemito (1852–1929), one of the leading exponents of Italian realism in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Here is a detailed description.
Subject and Style
The bust depicts a young boy, a so-called Neapolitan 'scugnizzo' (street urchin), a central and recurring theme in Gemito's work. The expression is lively and rich in realism: the boy is captured in an open, spontaneous smile that reveals his teeth, with eyes slightly half-closed that convey great vital energy and an almost photographic immediacy. The rendering of the hair is animated and tactile, typical of the artist's style, who loved to model material in a vibrant way.
Technical Details and Punchings
The work presents fundamental elements for identification:
Signature: On the base of the bronze, the name "GEMITO" is clearly engraved in uppercase letters, with the characteristic stroke of his works.
Foundry: The photo shows a foundry mark punched on the base. Although partially worn, it bears the inscription "Proprietà Artistica - Fonderia Gemito." The presence of this mark indicates that it is a casting carried out directly by the foundry created by the sculptor or by his heirs, who used the original molds.
Patina: The bronze has a warm, glossy patina, with golden reflections due to the patination, which emphasizes the facial contours and the interplay of light and shadow.
Analysis of the Opera
This work is a classic example of Gemito's ability to transform popular subjects into masterpieces of plastic art. The circular stepped base lifts the bust, imparting an elegance that contrasts with the humble and joyful nature of the subject portrayed.

The piece is in excellent condition. In collecting circles, Gemito’s works with original foundry marks are highly sought after, especially when they retain the expressive vibrancy evident in this specimen.

The work is an excellent example of the famous 'Smiling Scugnizzo' (sometimes catalogued also as 'Laughing Boy'), one of Vincenzo Gemito's most iconic and beloved subjects.
Here are the details that emerged from the technical analysis.
1. Identification of the Brand and the Foundry
The rectangular punch visible in the photo is the mark of the "Fonderia Gemito Napoli".
Meaning: This mark indicates that the work is not a generic posthumous copy, but a casting performed by the foundry founded by Gemito himself in Naples (active from the late nineteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century, later continued by his heirs, the Guerritore).


2. Artistic Analysis
The bust embodies the poetics of Neapolitan verismo:
Expression: Unlike noble portraits, here Gemito captures the frank and almost brazen laughter of a street kid. The attention to detail — such as visible teeth and the folds around the eyes — is a sign of a high-quality fusion that has preserved the freshness of the original wax model.
Style: The influence of Hellenistic sculpture is noticeable (which Gemito studied at the Naples Archaeological Museum), blended with a modern and popular vitality.


Note: The presence of the signature 'GEMITO' on the base and the foundry stamp on the chest/shoulder is the ideal combination for collectors, as it guarantees provenance from the artist's authentic molds.