Damerini and “Scelta della modella", study sheet, ink drawing on paper by Mariano Fortuny y Marsal (Reus 1838 - Rome 1874). Mariano Fortuny y Marsal, a Spanish painter and engraver, was born in Catalonia to a poor family. Orphaned at the age of 12, he moved in with his grandfather, who discovered his grandson's artistic gifts. At a young age he entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Barcelona, becoming a pupil of the painter Claudio Lorenzale. After winning a scholarship to Rome in 1858, Fortuny had the opportunity to continue his studies in the Italian capital, where he studied at the Chigi academy. After a few short trips to Paris, London and Naples, Fortuny died in Rome on 21 November 1874 at the age of 36, following a malarial fever contracted during his Neapolitan stay. Fortuny's disciples include, among others, Attilio Simonetti, Domenico Morelli and Ludovico Marchetti. The study sheet has a drawing on the front and one on the back. On one side are a seated painter and the detail of a Louis XIV-style chair. On the other side are female figures including a study for the famous painting "Scelta della modella", of which we have inserted an image. The drawing in question was auctioned by Balclis in Barcelona in 2011, as shown in the last images of the screenshots taken from auction result sites. From: Attilio Simonetti collection (Rome 1843-1925).