Rosina Ferrara
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Ferrara, Rosina (1861-1934)
Head of Ana-Capri Girl (1878) by John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
Rosina Ferrara (1878) by John Singer Sargent
Rosina Ferrara was a very beautiful Capri girl who became the favorite muse of American expatriate artist John Singer Sargent, was born in Anacapri, Capri, in 1861. Her exotic beauty fascinated the late 19th Century visitors to the island of Capri and captivated a lot of famous artists of that time. She posed for various artists such as Frank Hyde, Charles Sprague Pearce, and George R. Barse, whom she later married in 1891. She's immortalized in paintings by those above artists hanging in various museums and art galleries around the world, such as NYC's [Adelson Galleries.] She was featured in the 2003 art exhibit, "Sargent's Women" at the gallery mentioned above as well as in the eponymous book published in that year. There are also many more paintings and sketches by diverse 19th century artists featuring her end up in private collections by various wealthy art patrons today.
Her Biography and Works
Rosina Ferrara was born in Anacapri, Capri in 1861. Rosina was described by various artists as being of an "Arab/Greek type," the type one sees in classical art such as Ancient Greece. Greek colonists have long settled in Capri in ancient times and left their mark in their descendants.
In the nineteenth century, artists and writers from all over Europe and America travel to Capri to see the beauty of the island and its inhabitants renowned for their stunning beauty. Capri and Neapolitan area women are renowned for their beauty. The inhabitants of Anacapri are no exception. Their beauty fascinated writers such as Alphonse de Lamartine, who wrote the novel, Graziella, which was based upon his experience.
Rosina was first discovered by French artist Edward Vaux. She became his model. Then came British artist Frank Hyde, who was visiting Capri in search of new ideas and beauties. He was captivated by the exotic beauty that was Rosina. He painted a very classical picture of Capri life by having her recline sensually on a couch wearing a very seductive classical toga while the musician perform on a flute. That's indeed a very romantic and sensual painting. It's simply called[link]
She was the subject of various paintings by American expatriate painter John Singer Sargent. Mr. Sargent came to the island in 1878. He was looking for fresh ideas and new faces that strike his fancy. He was taken in by the beauty of its inhabitants. He was especially smitten by the handsome beauty of the 17 year old Rosina. So smitten that he painted her at least 12 times during his year's stay on the island town of Anacapri. She was featured in "[Dans Les Olivier]", "Head of an Anacapri Girl", "[View of Capri]", "Rosina", among the many paintings Sargent painted while he was living in Capri in 1878.
In 1891, she married American painter George Randolph Barse of Detroit and moved to the United States shortly after the marriage. They lived in Katonah, Westchester County, NY. Their marriage was a happy one. Rosina Ferrara died in New York City in 1934. Four years after her death, Mr. George Barse committed suicide in Westchester County, N.Y.
Rosina Ferrara has left the art world her legacy in the form of paintings and sketches as well as a renewed interest about Capri and John Singer Sargent, which is reflected in publishing many works by Sargent as well as through the many exhibitions in art museums and galleries around the world. There's a website dedicated to Mr. Sargent and to his many subjects and muses such as Rosina Ferrara, Madame X, etc. Paintings featured her were auctioned by various art galleries and auction houses around the world. Christie's the most prominent among them. Two paintings featuring Rosina were auctioned in 2005. She was the subject in "Sargent's Women", "Sargent and Italy" and "Great Expectations" between 2003 and 2005.
Links and References
[Rosina Ferrara- Belle of Capri]
[John Singer Sargent Virtual Gallery]
[Singer Sargent Virtual Gallery: Capri Trip]
[George Glazer Gallery- George Barse]
[Adelson Galleries: Sargent's Women]
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