Tornati Bruno - Statuette, La lettrice - 30 cm - Terracotta

Fascinating Italian terracotta patinated sculpture depicting an elegant lady seated beside a small table, caught in an intimate moment devoted to reading or writing.

The work can be traced to the production of Bruno Tornati (1893–1987), an Italian sculptor active in the first half of the twentieth century and a pupil of Guido Cacciapuoti, an important figure in Italian ceramic sculpture of the period.

The composition presents a refined narrative setup: the female figure, elegantly dressed, is depicted seated in front of the table, with great attention to the drapery of the dress, the posture, and the numerous small details that animate the scene.

The subject is particularly interesting because in the documented production of Bruno Tornati there is a sculpture known as “La lettrice,” also in terracotta and signed Tornati B., depicting a lady seated at a table.

The sculpture bears an incised signature, an element that appears compatible with the signing method observed on other documented works by the artist.

A work of strong decorative charm, expression of Italian taste between Art Déco and Novecento, in which the influence of Guido Cacciapuoti's school is evident.

Author/attribution: Bruno Tornati (1893–1987), attribution to be confirmed through the signature
Subject: La Lettrice – Lady at the table
Period: circa the 1930s
Origin: Italy
Material: patinated terracotta
Ambit/Field: school of Guido Cacciapuoti