Terracotta sculpture with bust of togatus Adolfo Laurenti

About the Item

Adolfo Laurenti (Monte Porzio Catone, April 23, 1858 - Rome, 1944) Bust of togatus Terracotta, 21 x 18 x 12 cm Adolfo Laurenti was born on April 23, 1858, in Monte Porzio (since 1872 Monte Porzio Catone). A pupil of the National Academy of San Luca, he taught sculpture at the Urbino Art Institute. He was awarded several times in international competitions and exhibitions. Adolfo Laurenti was among the artists who helped create the secular image of the new state born in 1861 by participating in important artistic endeavors of his time aimed especially at the construction of monuments of famous people. His artistic research starts from a classically inspired realism, for example in the celebrated bust of a Roman senator, and then arrives, as in the frieze on the facade of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, at characters closer to floral and symbolism. At his studio trained Libero Frizzi (1893-1954) and Edgardo Simone (1890-1948), who collaborated with Laurenti on the works for the 1911 International Exhibitions in Rome. In 1908 he worked on the Vittoriano, the most important art site in Rome at that time, participating in the competition for the two quadrigas destined for the propylaea. Paolo Bartolini and Carlo Fontana won, but Laurenti was included in the group of artists in charge of executing the bas-reliefs depicting Hunger and Victories for the pronai. In 1880 he established himself on a national level with an award at the Turin Exposition where he presented four works, Un arabo, Un araba, Un augure and above all the aforementioned Senatore romano, a bust that met with considerable success and had the honor of being published on the cover of Illustrazione Italiana. In the wake of this success can be placed the present terracotta sculpture depicting a Roman togatus: the bald head is crowned by laurel leaves while the torso is wrapped in the voluminous draperies of a toga. Laurenti makes the line his plastic medium par excellence: its main characteristic are the undefined contours designed to highlight solidity of character. The artist always managed to give his figures a real monumentality, despite the simplification of volumes and forms.

Dimensions:

Height: 8.27 in (21 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 4.73 in (12 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Terracotta

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

19th Century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.