AUGUSTO DAINI (1860–1920)
The Dilettanti Society in Rome, Italy
Lot 8
3 0005 000
Signed ‘Daini’ and annotated “Rome” (lower right) Oil on Canvas
50.0 x 85.0 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, United Kingdom
In 1734, a group of young British gentlemen, all alumni of the Grand Tour in Italy, formed a dining club in London called the Society of Dilettanti, from the Italian word dilettarie meaning “to take delight”. The close-knit association transformed classical antiquity from a private pleasure and collection to a public benefit — Thus by publishing influen- tial books and ancient architecture and sculpture.