One such painter was Santi Corsi who was active in Florence during the last three decades of the 19th century. Other than the address of his studio, very little is known about him.
The majority of his known works are interiors of the Palazzo Pitti, which was built by the banker Luca Pitti in the mid-1400s and was subsequently bought by the Medicis, before becoming the residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.
From the late 18th century onwards, the magnificent art collection it contained was opened to the public. Today, it houses the Palatine Gallery.
It was here that Santi Corsi found his ideal subject matter. He was entitled to paint in the individual galleries. Many of his works bear the official seal of the Palazzo Pitti.
On November 17, Van Ham in Cologne is offering a characteristically detailed painting by Corsi.
The 3ft x 4ft 2in (92cm x 1.26m) canvas shows the Sala dell’Iliade, the so-called Iliad Room. Clearly recognisable in the centre of the room is the marble statue Carità educatrice (Charity the Educator) by Lorenzo Bartolini, created in the 1840s.
The Iliad Room also houses works by Andrea del Sarto, Fra Bartolomeo, Artemesia Gentileschi, Paolo Veronese, Titian and many others.
The guide for Corsi’s work is €8000-14,000.
