Head of Angel
Sculptures
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Venus
| Artist | |
|---|---|
| Culture | Italian |
| Date | 17th century |
| Object type | sculpture |
| Medium, technique | bronze |
| Dimensions | 55 x 19 x 15 cm |
| Inventory number | 7162 |
| Collection | Sculptures |
| On view | Museum of Fine Arts, First Floor, European Art 1250-1600, Gallery XXI |
The pair of statuettes portraying Venus and Adonis came from one of the bronze casting workshops of seventeenth-century Venice and had been inspired by the works of the famous Venetian sculptor, Girolamo Campagna. The statuettes once decorated a firedog – a metal stand decorated with rich ornamentation and bronze statutes and placed in front of a fireplace. The bronzes in Budapest have come down to us in many variants. Over time they seem to have been recast on several occasions and probably in various workshops. Venus is carrying an arrow in her right hand. With her left hand she grabs the hair of the winged Amor, who is standing next to her. Her pendant, Adonis, is holding a stick in his right hand, while in his left hand he is holding the chain of the dog. Although they were undoubtedly part of the same series, the figure of Adonis is more elaborate and of higher quality.
References
Balogh, Jolán, Katalog der ausländischen Bildwerke des Museums der bildenden Künste in Budapest, IV – XVIII. Jahrhundert: 1. Textband Bd. 1, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1975, p. 170-171., no. 224.
Szmodisné Eszláry, Éva, A Régi Szoborgyűjtemény kincsei, Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest, 1994, p. 28.
Szmodisné Eszláry, Éva, The treasures of the Old Sculpture collection, Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest, 1994, p. 28.
This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.