A wonderful three quarter portrait of a boy in a straw hat peeling a piece of fruit, probably an orange, by Italian artist Eugene Von Blaas (1843-1942). Von Blaas was born to Austrian parents in Albino, Italy, moved to Venice and studied at the Academy in Venice and the Academy of Rome. He became known as a figure and genre painter in the style of Academic Classicism. He was most associated with Venetian subjects, especially voluptuous female water carriers. Many of his scenes, painted either in oil or watercolor, suggest male and female flirtation between fisher folk as they go about their daily business. Oil on wood panel, signed and dated 1884 lower right, with a partial Venetian frame shop label on verso, along with a red wax seal, and housed in a giltwood Dutch style frame. Dimensions: 16 in H x 11.25 in W, actual; 23.25 in H x 18.5 in W x 2 in D. Ref: 810