200YEARS-010724 - Flipbook - Page 62
CARLO RIGOLI
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(1883 - 1962)
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circa 1921s/1@/!0/111 2460
Oil on canvas
99 X 64 cm
Signed (upper left)
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The portrait photograph of Carlo Rigoli and his wife, taken in Bangkok
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Photo courtesy: Apinan Poshyananda, 1994,
Western-style painting and sculpture in the Thai Royal Court 1
(2nd printing), Bangkok: Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Co., Ltd, P. 227
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60
Carlo Rigoli was one of the Italian painters commissioned to work in Siam. Born in
Sesto Fiorentino, near Florence, Italy, in 1883, Rigoli grew up in a wealthy family and
received a thorough education. Initially, his family intended for him to become
a priest, but Rigoli was determined to pursue a career in art. This passion led
him to connect with Galileo Chini, a renowned Italian artist in Europe. When
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) attended the Venice Biennale
Art Festival in 1907 and admired Chini9s work, he invited Chini to create a
large-scale painting for the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Chini, in turn, invited
Rigoli to assist him with the project. In 1910, Rigoli and Chini traveled to Siam
to embark on this significant artistic endeavor. Working for the Siamese court
allowed Rigoli to collaborate closely with HRH Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs.
Rigoli studied literature, the history of Buddhism, and Thai art traditions, integrating
this knowledge into his creation of Western-style art. This fusion is evident in the
mural paintings inside the chapel of Wat Rachathiwat and the Borom Phiman
Throne Hall in the Grand Palace. Rigoli also mentored Hem Wechakorn during
his early years, imparting his art knowledge. Rigoli specialized in expert portraits
using oil paints, adhering to Western art principles. He frequently received
commissions to paint portraits of King Rama V, King Rama VI, and other royal
family members. The painting displayed here, created by Rigoli in 1921, is a
portrait of his beloved wife, Orsolini, who lived with him in Siam. This portrait
captures the beauty of European women9s faces and clothing with smooth, even
strokes of color. Rigoli skillfully blends the background colors with Orsolini9s facial
features, skin, figure, and clothing, creating a soft and beautiful composition.
After completing his mission in Siam, Rigoli returned to Italy on the eve of World
War II and continued to create art until his death on December 14, 1964.
