18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
to
19
98
38
30
14
12
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
192
566
2,162
7,617
68
53
93
118
60
122
200
171
217
276
63
11
7
1
137
87
85
83
45
44
40
37
24
22
18
12
11
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
66
61
39
34
30
11
3
1
1
133
58
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Ancient Roman Marble Altar Fragment with Cupid, Roman Empire, 2nd/3rd Century AD
Located in Milan, IT
Roman marble altar fragment with cupid
Provenance: Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and Geneva
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
ANCIENT MONUMENTAL MARBLE LION FOUNTAIN HEAD ROMAN EMPIRE 1ST/2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
Large roman carved marble fountain head representing a lion
Rome, I-II Century AC
Bonham's London, 22 September 1998, lot 485; formerly in the pr...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Panel in Scagliola Manifattura Carpigiana mid-17th century "St. Michael"
Located in Pistoia, IT
Carpi, mid-17th century, scagliola panel.
The panel, in black and white two-tone, features insertions of polychrome marbled elements and a central scene depicting St. Michael defeat...
Category
Baroque 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Slate
Wooden Sculptures Roman Soldiers Rome 18th Century Italy Art Gold
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Wooden sculptures depicting a pair of full-length Roman soldiers
Rome, 18th century
Carved and gilded wood (walnut?)
Dimensions: Maximum height (at lance) 62 cm./ Maximum width: 28 ...
Category
Old Masters 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gold
$6,440 Sale Price
20% Off
16th century Neapolitan nativity scene in gilded and marbled frame
Located in Milano, IT
Exceptional 16th-century Neapolitan nativity scene, framed by a gilded frame with elegant marbled details in shades of green. The exquisitely decorated frame lends depth and prestige...
Category
Baroque 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Precious Stone, Wood, Wax, Other Medium
ANCIENT RARE BRONZE FIGURE OF DIONYSOS (BACCHUS) ROMAN EMPIRE 1ST CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
This bronze sculpture is an exquisitely detailed representation of the god Dionysos, whose cult was one of the most popular in ancient times. Here, the god is nude, with a mantle that gently lies on his right leg. He is holding a bunch of grapes with his left hand, and a rhyton (drinking horn) with the right. The god is youthful and joyfully gazes forwards, with a crown of ivy leaves set upon his long flowing hair.
These features clearly resemble those of the life-size Roman marble sculpture of Dionysos exhibited at the British Museum, acc. no. 1861,0725.2 .
This statuette was probably part of a larger composition and used as a decorative element applied to a piece of furniture. Its finely wrought details, as well as the attractive olive-green patina led to its inclusion in the collection of the Fitchburg Art Museum for thirty years.
PROVENANCE
English Private Collection (Sotheby’s, London 17-18 July 1985, Lot 204)
Royal Athena...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair Carved Gilded Mirrors Gold Wood Venice 18th Century Italy Quality Baroque
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Pair of carved and gilded mirror cabinets 'in the manner of Sansovino'
Venetian (or Tuscan) carver active in the 18th century
Carved and gilded wood
Total frame measurements: 86 x 6...
Category
Old Masters 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gold
Corpus Christi 1150/70
Located in Wien, Wien
Corpus Christi
around 1150/70
Southern France or Catalonia
carved oak wood
height 109 cm, width 96 cm
Remains of polychromy
Category
Gothic 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$280,000
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE CAPITAL WITH MYTHOLOGICAL FIGURES, 15th Century
Located in Milan, IT
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE CAPITAL WITH MYTHOLOGICAL FIGURES, 15th Century
marble
H 18 x Diam 33.5 cm
H 7 x Diam 13 1/4 in
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Twelve limousine plaques depicting Saints, Apostles and Fathers of the Church
Located in Milano, IT
Extraordinary collection of 12 gilded copper plaques with glass paste eyes, originating in Limoges, France, and dating from the early 13th century. These fine plaques, each about six...
Category
French School 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Vierge en majesté assise romane. Sedes Sapientiae.
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Vierge romane en majesté en pierre calcaire sculptée en très haut-relief. La Vierge tient l’Enfant entre ses deux genoux dans une parfaite frontalité, une caractéristique des pr...
Category
Medieval 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Just A Little Tipsy (MADE TO ORDER) (Sabbath, Kiddush, Unique, Gold Luster)
Located in Kansas City, MO
(MADE TO ORDER) (Sabbath, Kiddush, Unique, Gold Luster)
*Lead Time may vary between 1-3 weeks
Melanie Sherman
"Just A Little Tipsy"
Year: 2021
Porcelain, Glaze, ChinaPaint, 24k Germ...
Category
Baroque 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Luster, Porcelain, Glaze
Italian Neoclassical Sculptural Group in Alabaster "The Rape of the Sabine Women" 18th
Located in Pistoia, IT
"The Rape of the Sabine Women," veined alabaster, large sculptural group with classical subject, Volterra manufacture, 18th century.
The so-called Rape of the Sabine Women is a scu...
Category
Italian School 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Gothic Renaissance wooden sculpture: bust of a young Saint or Angel
Located in Norwich, GB
This young saint or angel has suffered over the centuries, but his spirit has not been broken - and miraculously, his beautiful face has remained intact. With a gentle face and an al...
Category
Gothic 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Just A Little Tipsy (MADE TO ORDER) (Sabbath, Kiddush, Unique, Gold Luster)
Located in Kansas City, MO
(MADE TO ORDER) (Sabbath, Kiddush, Unique, Gold Luster)
*Lead Time may vary between 1-3 weeks
Melanie Sherman
"Just A Little Tipsy"
Year: 2021
Porcelai...
Category
Rococo 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Luster, Porcelain, Glaze
Terracotta Bust Portrait of a Lady Italy 18th century
Located in Pistoia, IT
Terracotta bust, portrait of young lady, Italy, Tuscany, second half of the 18th century.
The bust, entirely hand-molded, depicts a young woman with an intricate hairstyle wearing ...
Category
Italian School 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Hercules and the Centaur Nessus Bronze
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary Italian bronze embodies all of the hallmarks of the very best Florentine sculptures of the 17th century. The work is crafted in the Mannerist style of the late Ren...
Category
Mannerist 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Just A Little Tipsy (MADE TO ORDER) (Sabbath, Kiddush, Unique, Gold Luster)
Located in Kansas City, MO
(MADE TO ORDER) (Sabbath, Kiddush, Unique, Gold Luster)
*Lead Time may vary between 1-3 weeks
Melanie Sherman
"Just A Little Tipsy"
Year: 2021
Porcelai...
Category
Rococo 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Luster, Porcelain, Glaze
Pair Bas-reliefs Spring Autumn Flemish Sculptor 17th Century Wood
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Antichità Castelbarco SRLS is proud to present:
Flemish sculptor of the 17th century
Pair of bas-relief panels depicting the Allegory of Spring and the Allegory of Autumn
Oak wood
...
Category
Old Masters 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
LARGE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MARBLE CAPITAL, 15th/16th Century
Located in Milan, IT
LARGE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MARBLE CAPITAL
Florence, 15th/16th Century
marble
38 x 47 x 47 cm
15 x 18 1/2 x 18 1/2 in
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Vierge romane en majesté. Bourgogne 12ème siecle.
Located in PARIS, FR
Grande vierge en majesté de l'époque romane en bois polychrome. Cette Vierge à l'enfant inédite s'inscrit dans le corpus des Vierges romanes de Bourgogne. Marie est assise sur un trô...
Category
Medieval 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Exceptional Italian Neoclassical Sphinx Carrara Marble Statue
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian Neoclassical Sphinx Carrara Marble sculpture designed as entrance guardian, this mythical lady sphinx statuary display the head and chest of a neoclassical woma...
Category
Academic 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
JOSEPH WITH THE CHILD
Located in Wien, Wien
Upper Italy
2nd half 12th century
Maple
Original version
Height 67 cm
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$88,000
HELMET HEAD
Located in Milano, IT
Very rare wooden helmet-bearing head, datable between the 13th and 14th centuries, extraordinary evidence of medieval material culture. This object, carved with essential and primiti...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE ALTAR FRAGMENT, 1ST/2ND CENTURY A.D.
Located in Milan, IT
Roman Marble Altar fragment from the 1st/2nd Century A.D. with the typical element of Roman rituals.
Provenance: Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Saint Barbara France 16/17th Century Sculpture Wood Religious Old master Art
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
High relief panel depicting 'Saint Barbara'
Southern France, 16th-17th century
Polychrome carved wood with traces of gilding
64 x 32 cm.
(good condition, with minor missing and cra...
Category
Old Masters 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood Panel, Wood
Attributed to Antonio Giorgetti, Nativity
Located in Milan, IT
Antonio Giorgetti (documented in Rome from 1657 to 1669)
Nativity, c. 1662
Wax, 56 x 12 cm
The wax, oval in shape and brown in color, features an iconography invented by Roman Ba...
Category
Other Art Style 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wax
Sancai-Glazed Horse with Cut Fur Blanket
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A Chinese, Tang Dynasty, Sancai-glazed, three colors of brown, green and creamy, sculpture of a horse with a cut fur blanket. This Chinese, Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), glazed earthenw...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware, Glaze
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF OF A MALE TORSO, ROME, 2ND/3RD CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
This muscular male torso probably comes from a larger relief, which would have decorated the front part of a sarcophagus. It likely represents the figure of a satyr, standing, with t...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Head of Avalokiteshvara, KHMER, Cambodia, Bayon Style
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A gray sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara, Khmer, Cambodia, Bayon Style from the 13th century. The artwork is unsigned. Provenance: Charles Craig, Privat...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Large Italian Neoclassical Marble Sculpture Allegory 18th century
Located in Pistoia, IT
Impressive neoclassical Carrara marble sculpture depicting the Allegory of Friendship and Loyalty, second half of the 18th century.
The sculpture depicts Friendship as a classical ...
Category
Italian School 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Vierge en majesté. Catalogne française - Maria Lactans
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Vierge à l'Enfant en bois polychrome de tradition romane, région du Fenouillèdes, représentant une Virgo Lactans. Avant cette découverte, seules 3 vierges allaitantes médiévales...
Category
Gothic 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Italian Carved Wooden Statue of a Man
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique, hand-carved statue of a man with traces of silver gilding.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Marble head of Roman Emperor Tiberius
Located in New York, NY
Antique marble head of the roman emperor Tiberius. 43cm without the base.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Ancient Greek Terracotta Comic Actor Figurine
Located in Milan, IT
TERRACOTTA FIGURINE OF A COMIC ACTOR , Greece, c. 350 B.C.
Labeled to the reverse, 'LAWRENCE COLL./LOT 426. SOTHEBY./APR. 1892. P. 816.';
Terracotta
height 15.2 cm
height 6 in
Prove...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta, ABS
French School of the 17th century Large Group in Terracotta
Located in Pistoia, IT
Large terracotta group depicting interior scene, northern France, second half of the 17th century.
The fine execution of this delightful family interior takes us back to the product...
Category
Baroque 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
St George Slaying the Dragon
Located in London, GB
18th Century European School
St George Slaying the Dragon
Wood, gilded
8 inches in height, 6 3/4 x 4 inches base
This 18th century carved and gilt wood statuette depicts the moment ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
FEMALE BUST
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and fascinating carved wooden female bust, probably used as a wig holder. The work, made in Holland in the first half of the 17th century, features an elegant stylization of fac...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Roman Carrara Marble Lioness
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Magnificent hand carved Carrara marble sculpture of a lioness head from Rome. Mounted on a metal base. Base 13.75"W x 12.25"D.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
Large Bronze Bust Sculpture of Diane de Poitiers, 18th Century
Located in Beachwood, OH
After Jean Goujon (French, 1510-1568)
Bust of Diane de Poitiers, 18th/19th Century
Bronze
14 x 7 x 5 inches
22 x 8 x 7 inches, with base
Diane de Poitiers was a French noblewoman and prominent courtier. She wielded much power and influence as King Henry II's royal mistress and adviser until his death. Her position increased her wealth and family's status. She was a major patron of French Renaissance architecture...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Crucifixion with St. Francis and St. Anthony, Bottega del Brustolon
By Andrea Brustolon
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent boxwood sculpture made in the famous workshop of Brustolon, a master carver active in the Veneto region between the 17th and 18th centuries. This masterpiece depicts the ...
Category
Italian School 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MARBLE RELIEF WITH GRIFFIN
Located in Milan, IT
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MARBLE RELIEF WITH GRIFFIN Central Italy, 16th Century
marble
42 x 28.5 x 5.5 cm
16 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 2 1/4 in
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Standing Engel
Located in Wien, Wien
Standing angel with banner
Flemish
Around 1450/60
Sandstone
60 x 21 x 15 cm
This museum figurine shows a standing angel with a banner in his right hand and a small box in his left. The youthful, ageless figure wears a coat held together with a triangular, floral brooch in front of the chest over a long robe. The angel’s gaze is directed forward, his head tilted slightly to the left. The elongated face is sculpted: the large almond-shaped eyes with accentuated upper and lower eyelids are alertly open and sharp eyebrows lead directly into the root of the nose. The straight nose above the pronounced mouth completes the idealized oval face of the angel and his calm, internalized facial expression. What is particularly remarkable, however, is the magnificent curls, which are only partially tamed by a simple headband. As if puffed up by the wind, the hair, which is sometimes streaked in parallel, sometimes wildly twisted and richly curled, stands out dynamically from the ears. The tilted head with these sideways protruding waves of hair thus conveys an immediate impression of movement. The physicality of the sculpture is expressed particularly through this organic, lifelike movement of the loosened hair.
The lively overall impression of the figure is further enhanced by the multiple rolled banners that the angel presents to the viewer. The outstretched palm of the right hand appears both intimate and confidential as well as mystically revealing. This banderole winds in gentle curves in front of the figure’s body, throws a fold over the second attribute in the angel’s left hand and falls downwards in a loose manner. The volute-shaped rolled up end of the banner clearly shows the fine texture of the banner and at the same time draws the viewer’s attention to the small cube-shaped box that the angel is holding in its slender, long-limbed fingers. The cube is decorated with a Gothic quatrefoil motif, which is often seen in the architectural tracery of windows, but was also often used to decorate caskets and other small treasures. The sweeping gestures in the presentation of the attributes suggest three-dimensionality, in contrast to the tubular folds at the base of the neck and the intricate draperies in flat and multiple overlapping garment sections. The soft curves of the folds give the impression that the clothing is made of a heavy fabric that falls diagonally down the front and is laid in several bowl folds under the right hand.
Overall, the sculptural work testifies to the highest artistic skill, which emphasizes the virtuosity of sculpture in its precious and representative overall impression. The memorable characteristics recognizable here can be seen in comparable pictorial works from Utrecht around the middle of the 15th century, when sculptural art – especially stone sculpture – was characterized by a remarkably high quality. Particularly noteworthy is the accentuated Utrecht head type with an elongated oval face, almond-shaped eyes with heavy lids and dense, vividly protruding tufts of hair framing the head. For example, the figure is comparable to a capital of an angel on the east side of the rood screen of the Joriskerk in Amersfoort (province of Utrecht) from the second quarter of the 15th century. Not only the physiognomy and hair, which in the comparative example stand somewhat more horizontally to one side, but also the garment puff above the girdle are similar. Even more related motifs, such as the cleverly placed bowl folds, can be found on the limestone figure...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
$28,800
Marble Head of Mercury
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A hand-carved marble head of Mercury mounted on a stained wooden plinth.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Gandharan Frieze with Scenes from the Life of Buddha
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A schist stone carving from 2nd/3rd Century Gandhara depicting scenes from the life of Buddha.
Provenance:
Spink and Sons LTD, 1985.
Category
Other Art Style 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
ANCIENT ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF WINGED EROS RIDING A DOLPHIN, 2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze figure of a young Eros, caught in the pose of riding a dolphin.
Attractive green patina, some fingers and right foot are broken. Separately worked left wing is missing. Right ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Carrara Marble Fountain of Pan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Roman, Carrara marble sculpture of the mythological Greek god Pan as a fountain. Italy.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Sitting Madonna
Located in Wien, Wien
Sitting Madonna
Central Italy/Tuscany or Marche
Around 1420
Poplar wood carved
Original version
Height 31 cm
Charming Madonna sculpture from the heyday of the Soft or International...
Category
Gothic 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$12,000
Antique Italian Terracotta Figure Of The Child Hercules, Rome, 18th Century
Located in Milan, IT
After Alessandro Algardi (Bologna, 1585 - Roma,1654)
YOUNG HERCULES, Italy, 18th Century
terracotta
44 x 25 x 25 cm
17 1/4 x 9 3/4 x 9 3/4 in
This lovely sculpture represents the young Hercules, seated with his legs crossed, gently holding a bird with his right hand, raised in the air, while supporting his own weight with his left hand.
The artwork refers to the notorious Roman sculpture of the young Hercules killing the snakes sent by Hera, exhibited at the Capitoline Museums in Rome. Academics have identified the young emperor Caracalla or, more recently, Annio Vero, son of the emperor Marcus Aurelius, in the portrait of the sculpture.
During the 16th Century there has been an increasing interest of patrons towards the theme of mythology and several acclaimed Italian sculptors worked on the creation of sculptures and depictions of Roman Gods.
Among them, the distinguished baroque artist Alessandro Algardi worked on the restoration of several ancient sculptures...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Vierge en majesté mosane. Sedes Sapientiae.
Located in PARIS, FR
Grande Vierge à l'Enfant en chêne de la fin du 13ème siècle ou début du 14ème siècle. La plastique des visages et du Christ évoque le 13ème siècle (le visage de la Vierge évoque le visage de la Sedes Sapientiae...
Category
Gothic 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$15,128 Sale Price
25% Off
Altorilievo in Marmo della Montagnola Senese Profilo Siena XIV secolo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Altorilievo in marmo della Montagnola Senese raffigurante un profilo femminile a mezzo busto, Siena, XIV secolo.
L'altorilievo, nella tradizione senese del XIV secolo, si caratter...
Category
Medieval 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Large Romanesque Cistercian marble capital. Northern Italy.
Located in PARIS, FR
Large romanesque capital with water leaf in red Verona marble. This type of capital is typical of 12th century Cistercian abbeys and represents a tr...
Category
Medieval 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
GROTESQUE MASK
Located in Milan, IT
GROTESQUE MASK
Italy, 15h Century
stone
30 x 31 x 20 cm
11 3/4 x 12 1/4 x 7 3/4 in
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Sedes Sapientiae
Located in Wien, Wien
Sedes Sapientiae
Pustertal um 1220/30
Weichholz/Lindenholz(?)geschnitzt
Reste von originaler Polychromie
Höhe 57 cm
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$68,000
Large Mirror Gold Wood Florentine Woodcarver 18th Century
Located in Riva del Garda, IT
Large mirror made by a Florentine woodcarver working in the early 18th century (it can be hung on the wall in either direction)
Tuscany (Florence)
Louis XIV style
Carved and g...
Category
Baroque 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gold
ANCIENT BRONZE HEAD OF AN ELEPHANT, ROMAN EMPIRE 2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
This beautiful cast bronze elephant head is a protome, which in ancient art was a decorative element consisting of a head - sometimes with part of the bust - of a human, animal, or f...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
KONGŌRIKISHI
Located in Milano, IT
This magnificent pair of boxwood sculptures, 22 cm high, depicts the Kongōrikishi, also known as Niō, the protective guardians of Japanese Buddhist temples. These towering figures, a...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Important Sculpture
Located in ROUEN, FR
"Important Sculpture
IMPORTANT SCULPTURE representing Saint Floran de Lorch in polychrome wood in its beautiful old polychromy. He is represented ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$8,009
Bust of Pope Innocent XI Odescalchi by Domenico Guidi
Located in New Orleans, LA
This monumental bust is a museum-quality example of Roman Baroque sculpture. Crafted by the legendary Domenico Guidi and carved from Carrara marble, the impressive portrait captures the visage of Pope Innocent XI, Benedetto Odescalchi (1611-1689). It presents a larger-than-life example of Guidi’s remarkable skill as a sculptor, which ultimately made his workshop one of the most important in Rome during his age. Today, his works are rarely found on the market, particularly his extraordinary works in marble.
Pope Innocent XI was born Benedetto Odescalchi into an Italian noble family of prominent bankers. Spending his early years in banking, he eventually turned to the law, earning his doctorate in 1639. His background would serve him well in his service to the papacy, and he became known as a frugal and devout member of the Church. In 1676, he was unanimously elected Pop after the death of Clement X. During his nearly 13-year reign, he instilled his own personal ideals of austerity and frugality onto the Church, with a deep commitment to reform and piety.
He is captured here by Guidi in his traditional Pope’s mozzetta and camauro cap. A wide stole is draped over his shoulders, ornamented by acanthus leaves and the coat of arms of the Odescalchi family. It displays Guidi’s mastery over the chiaroscuro effect, particularly in the high level of contrast in his cheeks and his eyes, which Guidi achieved through various methods of high polish.
A very similar portrait sculpture of Pope Innocent XI by Guidi can be found in the collection of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The Warsaw bust belongs to a series of portraits of popes which the Odescalchi family commissioned from Domenico Guidi in the 1690s. Compared to that example, the present bust is far more dramatic, with deeper cut lines and a more precise expression. It is likely that the present piece was seen by the Odescalchi family, who ordered a similar one to be made. The piece was almost certainly intended to be displayed in a niche, given its dramatic cutting and its roughly carved back.
Others of Guidi’s busts can be found in important collections throughout Italy, England and the United States, though many of these are lesser bronze repetitions. A bronze bust of the Pope Alexander VIII by Guidi is currently in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum (London), while a terracotta version of the same is in the Los Angeles County Museum. A bronze of Pope Alexander VIII can be found in the Princely Collection of Lichtenstein, and his impressive marble papal bust of Clement IX graces the pope’s tomb in Santa Maria Maggiore. The present bust of Pope...
Category
Baroque 18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
ANTIQUE ITALIAN ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS WITH CHIMERAS
Located in Milan, IT
ARCHITECTURAL RELIEFS WITH CHIMERAS
Central Italy, 16th Century
green marble
26 x 25 cm
10 1/4 x 9 3/4 in
Category
18th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
