Trained at the Paris École des Beaux-Arts in painting and engraving, the Swiss-born Edmond Jean de Pury is best known for his Italian figurative subjects, namely the working-class local color of Rome, Capri, and Venice.

At the Well, an exquisite portrait of a water carrier, epitomizes this Italian body of work, evincing his facility at rendering human personality. In addition, the white-and-grey palette, as well as the attention to textures - stone walls and earthenware pot, pleated linen chemise, and woven skirt - recall Pury's background in printmaking. In fact, his numerous etchings were reproduced in illustrated magazines of the time, further contributing to his renown.

...