Boldini's Portrait of Donna Franca Florio at auction.

Palermo is in danger of losing one of the most beautiful portraits made by Giovanni Boldini: the Portrait of Donna Franca Florio; a large painting (221 x 119 cm) depicting one of the most prominent women of the Belle Epoque, wife of Sicilian businessman Florio.

The painting had been purchased by the Acqua Marcia Society and for years had been on display in the dining room of theHotel Villa Igiea, the Florios’ former home.

With the bankruptcy of the Acqua Marcia Company, the six historic Sicilian hotels it owned along with all the furnishings and accessories, including the Hotel Villa Igiea and the Portrait in question, are also being sold off.

The painting will be on display at the Complesso del Vittoriano in Rome until July 16 for the exhibition dedicated to Boldini, but it is being auctioned by Bonino auction house in Rome.
Scheduled for today, the auction starts at 1 million euros.

Cultural associations and Palermo citizens have devised a social crowdfunding campaign with the hashtag #riportiamoacasafranca to be able to buy back the painting and keep it in their Palermo.

Source: Corriere della Sera - Il Sole 24 Ore

Image: Giovanni Boldini, Portrait of Donna Franca Florio (1901-1924; oil on canvas, 221 x 119.4 cm)

Boldini's Portrait of Donna Franca Florio at auction.

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