Orazio Marinali Christ as the Man of Sorrows Vicenza, Italy, about 1690 Marble relief 35 x 28.5 cm Orazio Marinali was the leading member of a prominent family of sculptors in Vicenza, near Venice, which specialised in religious images. Orazio’s sculptures are often of extreme emotional intensity, as in this extraordinary relief carving, which is particularly … Read more
Joseph Chinard Bust of Madame Juliette Récamier (1777-1849) Paris, Model: about 1802; Version: early 19th century or later Marble 67.3 x 31.5 x 19 cm Mme Récamier, celebrated for her beauty, was the wife – and possibly the illegitimate daughter – of a wealthy older banker. She became a prominent figure in Parisian political and literary … Read more
Joseph Gott Greyhound with Puppies Rome, about 1825-27 Carved white marble, on a variegated marble base 43 x 55 x 37.5 cm The British sculptor Joseph Gott lived and worked in Rome, the birthplace of neo-classicism, of which style he was a late exponent. His repertoire was broad, but his animal groups attracted the greatest … Read more
Unrecorded Italian Artist Lion Mask Italy, perhaps Tuscany, 13th century Marble 33.4 x 31.5 x 14.5 cm Plinth: 53.8 x 53.8 x 2.3 cm The mask originally formed the head of a fountain, possibly for a public drinking supply. Mineral deposits around the mouth indicate water issued out of it. The high quality of the … Read more
Italian School Head of Prudence Naples, Early 15th century Marble 26.3 x 16.4 x 15.9 cm Plinth: 4 x 22 x 22 cm Prudence was one of the four Cardinal Virtues; she is shown with two faces to represent her watchfulness. This fragment probably came from an early 15th century tomb sculpture in the Church … Read more
Auguste Rodin Bust of Victor-Henri, Marquis de Rochefort-Luçay (1830-1913) Paris, Model: about 1884; Version: about 1902 Marble 81.3 x 40 x 40 cm Henri Rochefort-Luçay was a radical journalist, art collector and patron, noted for his remarkably wild hair and equally fierce opinion. The original plaster model was made in about 1884, but this version was … Read more