Lot 137
Ignazio Ricca (Italian, 1860-1937). "The Shoeshine Boy" oil on board, ca. 1880. Signed at lower left. A delightful painting by Italian artist Ignazio Ricca portraying a shoeshine boy seated atop his stool as he holds up a shoe, his youthful visage crowned by a bowler hat as he gazes outward at the viewer. The young boy wears a burgundy-colored vest and neck sash over a blue button-up shirt and a pair of tattered black trousers, while sitting upon his shoeshine box. Size of painting: 13.5" W x 19" H (34.3 cm x 48.3 cm); of frame: 18.75" W x 24.25" H (47.6 cm x 61.6 cm)
Interestingly, shoeshine boys have inhabited an important role in both art and Italian history. The first photograph that includes an image of human, "Boulevard du Temple" (1838), shows a shoeshine boy at work on a customer on the street. Additionally, the 1946 Italian movie "Shoeshine" ("Sciuscia" in Neapolitan), which follows two shoeshine boys who fall into a web of crime and injustice as they attempt to escape the harsh realities of post-World War II Rome by buying a horse, is considered one of the earliest and most influential films of the Neorealist movement.
The history of shoeshine boys dates back to the mid-19th century, particularly during the Industrial Revolution when cities grew rapidly, and more people began wearing polished leather shoes as a symbol of respectability and status. In urban centers like New York, London, and Paris, many young boysoften from impoverished backgrounds or immigrant familiestook up the job of shining shoes to earn a living. Shoeshine boys became a common sight in busy public areas such as train stations, street corners, and business districts, offering their services to workers, travelers, and professionals. This work, though low-paying, provided many boys with a way to support their families and climb the social ladder, and the job was often seen as a stepping stone to other opportunities.
Ignazio Ricca was born in 1860 in Santa Margherita Belice, Italy where he became a classically trained artist. He came to America in 1888, where he lived in Brooklyn and had a studio at 236 Court St. Ignazio Ricca died February 7, 1937 at age 75. His son, Gaspano (Gus) Ignazio Ricca was a well known illustrator drawing for Time Magazine, The New Yorker and numerous other magazines.
Provenance: private Owen collection, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA; ex-private North Eastern USA collection, acquired at Berman's Auction House, New Jersey, USA in August 1998
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#189850
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Condition:
- Set in custom frame with suspension wire on verso for display. Small chip to bottom of frame that does not affect image. Some light expected age wear and minor staining to painting as shown, but otherwise in good overall condition, commensurate with age. Signed at lower left. Written at bottom verso of frame is "Ignazio Ricca - Italian American ca. 1880. Studied with J.G. Brown, NYC."
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