Rosa Emma Cafarelli

Anthony de Francisci, Rosa Emma Cafarelli, 1924, brass, 7 ³⁄₈ x 4 ³⁄₄ in. (18.8 x 12.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate, 1966.110.2

Artwork Details

Title: Rosa Emma Cafarelli
Artist: Anthony de Francisci
Date: 1924
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 7 ³⁄₈ x 4 ³⁄₄ in. (18.8 x 12.0 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate
Mediums: brass
Mediums Description: brass
Classifications: Sculpture
Relief
Subjects: Portrait female — Cafarelli, Rosa Emma — head
Object Number: 1966.110.2
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.110.2

Artwork Description

This relief depicts Anthony de Francisci’s mother-in-law, Rosa Emma Cafarelli. The bronze plaque is part of a family series that the sculptor produced between 1920 and 1925. Rosa Emma and her daughter, Teresa, whom de Francisci wed in 1920, came to America from south of Naples, Italy, when Teresa was four years old. The forthright portrayal of Rosa’s middle-aged features and the verdigris (gray-green) patina on the relief make it a companion piece to the artist’s relief of Donato Cafarelli, Rosa’s husband (see 1966.110.4).