Giacomo Manzu (1908-1991)

Giacomo Manzù had been fascinated by the Cardinals who visited Bergamo when he was a child. According to John Rewald, "their visual impression became an inspiration for him, a problem of artistic creation which, so to speak, pursued him for years. Manzù proved with his statues that their clothing was not only 'picturesque' but also eminently 'statuesque'" (Giacomo Manzù, London, 1967, p. 59). In the 1950s he produced over fifty Cardinal sculptures of varying sizes and poses. Working in an almost abstract manner, Manzù simplified the Cardinals to their essential volumetric elements, devoid of distracting ornamentation. The pieces were idealized representations and not intended to be seen as portraits. In a letter dated 3 May 1960 Manzù wrote to the owner of the present sculpture, "I am happy that you have acquired my small 'Cardinale' from World House, since this bronze, besides being one of my latest 'Cardinali', is one that I consider to be among the best, and you also know that I am not dedicating myself to this theme anymore, so that this will be the last to be available in the gallery. Therefore you have done well."