Marcello Mortet (Roma, 1911 - Roma, 1985)
Italian soldid silver sculpture depicting Narcissus, Rome, mid-20th century
made in lost-wax casting by Marcello Mortet in silver 800/1000, hallmarked ‘800’ and ‘ROMA’.
This sculpture depicts Narcissus, the mythological character known for his beauty and for falling in love with his own reflection in the water. The figure shows a young nude man, leaning against a rock, with his torso inclined forward and his gaze directed downward, as if he is absorbed in observing his own reflection. The body is sculpted with smooth lines and realistic details, highlighting the musculature and the languid, graceful pose.
The base is decorated with natural elements, such as leaves and clusters of grapes, evoking a natural setting and classical symbolism. The polished, lustrous surface, resembling a silver effect, enhances the piece's elegance and refinement, emphasizing the contrast between Narcissus’s smooth body and the rough texture of the rock.
This representation of Narcissus underscores the theme of beauty and self-contemplation, capturing an intimate and vulnerable moment of the character.
Published on the Bottega d'arte Mortet website at: https://mortet.it/marcello-mortet-roma-1911-1985/
Aurelio passed on his passion for artistic craftsmanship to his five sons: Alfredo, Alberto, and Mario followed in his footsteps in the art of carving, while Armando and Dante specialized in chiseling, training in prestigious workshops. During the Art Nouveau period, the two chiseler brothers opened their own studios in Rome, where they stood out for significant works, such as the Door of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and sacred art commissions from architects of the era.
The line of carvers ended with Mario, the youngest, whose untimely death coincided with a decline in demand for artistic carving. In contrast, the Mortet chiseler line continued, overcoming economic challenges such as the Great Depression of 1929. After the closure of the workshop on Via Equizia, Dante began a period of itinerant work, collaborating with various Roman studios until the mid-century.
At this time, Aurelio’s nephew Marcello, son of Alberto, also began his career in craftsmanship, learning the trade in his uncles' studios. Later, he opened his own studio in Trastevere. His career was marked by prestigious silverwork, including several Roman fountains, in keeping with family tradition. He also worked for a few years in Genoa, where he handled the decoration of the Perrone family tomb, a family notable in publishing and for their ties to Ansaldo, at the Staglieno cemetery.
The tradition continued with Virgilio (1926-2019), son of Dante, who left a career in construction to join his father and later founded his own workshop on Via dei Portoghesi in the 1950s, joined by his brother Aurelio and, later, by the next generation. The "Fratelli Mortet" workshop became a hallmark of Roman craftsmanship, celebrated for works such as the Golden Pen used by Pope John XXIII to sign his first encyclical and Pope Paul VI's pectoral cross.
Over the years, the family has carried on its craft with dedication, participating in international exhibitions and contributing to the training of new chiseling talents, also in South America and Asia. In 2004, the workshop received the Historical Workshop title from the City of Rome, while the Oriolo Romano studio was recognized as an artisanal excellence by the Lazio Region.
Today, the Mortet family, now in its fifth generation, represents one of the last witnesses to an ancient artisan tradition, continuing to pass down the art of chiseling and carving. Despite current challenges, the family preserves that ancient knowledge that still contributes to the renown and appreciation of Italian craftsmanship worldwide.