April 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, April 2nd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2013
Enrico Caruso hand-drawn self-portrait, with possible portion of his signature, on Plaza Hotel Buenos Aires stationery. Best known for his signature role as Canio in ''Pagliacci,'' Caruso sang as a tenor at the New York Metropolitan Opera and counted Italian, German and French operas among his repertoire. More obscure was his passion for visual art, particularly caricatures, at which he became quite accomplished. This self-portrait was likely drawn around 1917, as Caruso was touring South America at the time. Watercolor and ink portrait depicts a caricatured version of Caruso posing in a tuxedo, in character from one of his many performances. He has written ''T'AMO! T'AMO! T'AMO!'' at top right, as well as a possible signature, though cut off, at lower right. Sketch measures 6.75'' x 8'' and has uneven edges and portions of paper missing along top and right, as well as very delicate chipping to watercolor causing two mostly indiscernible holes. Matted in white to an overall size of 10.5'' x 14.5''. Overall very good. From a larger collection of Caruso caricature sketches.
Enrico Caruso Hand-Drawn Caricature Sketch of Himself -- With ''T'AMO! T'AMO! T'AMO!'' Written Beside Portrait in His Hand
Click above for larger image.