23
Jean de Boulogne detto Giambologna (Douai, 1529 - Firenze, 1608)Based on
Neptune, Florence, 18th century
Bronze, patina, 21 x 6.5 x 7.5 cm. With marble base, not pertinent (measurements with base 26 x 11 x 11 cm).
The bronze sculpture presented here is a replica of the Neptune placed on the fountain of the same name in Bologna.
The bronze sculpture presented here is a replica of the Neptune placed on the fountain of the same name in Bologna.
The construction of the aforementioned fountain was commissioned to the great Flemish sculptor Giambologna who availed himself of the work of the Bolognese founder Zanobio Portigiani.
The imposing monument was completed in 1566 and, in addition to the sculpture of Neptune, includes a marble structure and groups of allegorical figures in bronze, such as Nereids and putti with dolphins.
Our bronze statuette only repeats the apical figure of Neptune, with the trident in his hand, and rests his left foot on the head of a dolphin.
The sketch of the imposing sculpture is preserved in the Medieval Museum of Bologna. This bronze represents the first idea for the colossus later realized with some variations, especially the length of the beard.
In the sketch the beard was very long, in the finished work it is shortened.
The success of this work was so great that, almost a symbol of the city, it was replicated from the beginning in various materials. Sometimes you can find on the market fusions of the Neptune from the 8th and 9th centuries, of discrete but industrial quality.
The replica presented here can certainly be ascribed to the 18th century and could be included in the best Grand Tour production, when wealthy international travellers loved to bring back home replicas of the major Italian monuments.
We note the rendering of the bearded face, extremely convincing and similar to the original, as well as the workmanship of the hands and feet, so close to the ways of Giambologna, with the typical square nails.
Even the intense and covering patina is typical of those productions.
Bibliography:
Charles Avery-Antony Radcliffe, Giambologna Sculptor of the Medici, Exhibition catalogue (Edinburgh, London and Vienna), 1978-79, p.12.
€ 4.000,00 / 8.000,00
Estimate
3.000,00 €
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Live auction 329
Placquettes, Medals, Sculptures and Ceramics from the 14th to the 19th century
Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, wed 5 March 2025
SINGLE SESSION 05/03/2025 Hours 15:00