This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
GIRARDELLI, Josephine (b. ca. 1780). Wash Drawing of the Fireproof Woman, Signora Giradelli. Circa 1815. Finely executed watercolor on paper, being a full-length image of the incombustible Italian lady who mystified London with her ability to resist all types of fire and heat. Contemporary inked caption describes her as pouring “boiling melted lead into her mouth, walking over a bar of red hot iron with her naked feet, washing her hands in aquafortis, etc., etc., etc.” 6 7/8 x 4 3/8”. Laid down to trimmed album page. Despite her hard-won popularity in nineteenth century Europe, the Signora’s most lasting fame was, perhaps, garnered as the title subject of Mr. Jay’s well-known treatise on unusual entertainers of all types, Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women.