It's your chance to enjoy an elegant gathering at Simpson Galleries' upcoming June art sale.

Among the works being offered by "Houston's Oldest Fine Art and Antique Auctioneers and Appraisers" is this piece by Italian Ferdinand Folchi (1822-1883).

Elegant Gathering on the Terrace is a signed oil on canvas dated to 1864 and measuring 48" x 65".

As with most of Folchi's works, this piece was painted for a public space. Consequently, its eye appeal should encourage bidders to raise their paddles at Simpson's sale.

Folchi's other noted commissions included for the hall of frescos in the Sansoni Trombetta Palace, illustrating the stories of famous heroines, and the Miracle of San Francesco in the Chiesa di San Lorenzo.

Other works are preserved elsewhere in Italy, England, France and America - and all of these are documents of a lifetime devoted to painting for a New Republic.

Elegant Gathering on the Terrace by Ferdinando Folchi

Ferdinando Folchi was born in Florence in 1822. This was early in the Risorgimento, a political and social movement in Italy which sought the unification of the country's different states into a single nation.

As a result, Folchi's paintings are filled with an historical and distinctly Italian identity which inspired those pressing for national solidarity.

For a chance to own this peace, the pre-auction estimate predicts that you'll have to spend somewhere in the region of $25,000-35,000.

Yet with its considerable eye appeal, and importance in both art history and Italy's social evolution, Elegant Gathering on the Terrace should be sure to attract enthusiastic bidders and alternative investors at Simpson's sale.