Lot Essay
Leopoldo Ansiglioni (1832-1894) was born in Piedmont. He worked
principally in Rome, though he was also active in Paris and London. He created allegorical and mythological sculpture, as well as portrait busts and small terracottas. His monumental statue of Christ is in the portico of the Campo Verano in Rome. Orazio Andreoni was a contemporary of Ansiglioni's, whose work was particularly popular with English and American collectors, the fact that his studio is mentioned on this sculpture indicates that that was where Ansiglioni executed the marble.
Both Thieme-Becker and Benezit record that Ansiglioni's marbles of Night, Flora and Galatea were greatly admired. The present marble is most probably this recorded Galatea. The Sicilian sea-nymph is here captured in all her glory, triumphantly riding her dolphin through the waves. Though the subject of 'The Triumph of Galatea' was popular in art from the Renaissance, Ansiglioni has treated the theme with a new vigour and sensuous energy. With consummate skill he has created a sculpture of entwining curves and finely worked details; features which together produce a ravishing image of late 19th Century beauty and taste.
principally in Rome, though he was also active in Paris and London. He created allegorical and mythological sculpture, as well as portrait busts and small terracottas. His monumental statue of Christ is in the portico of the Campo Verano in Rome. Orazio Andreoni was a contemporary of Ansiglioni's, whose work was particularly popular with English and American collectors, the fact that his studio is mentioned on this sculpture indicates that that was where Ansiglioni executed the marble.
Both Thieme-Becker and Benezit record that Ansiglioni's marbles of Night, Flora and Galatea were greatly admired. The present marble is most probably this recorded Galatea. The Sicilian sea-nymph is here captured in all her glory, triumphantly riding her dolphin through the waves. Though the subject of 'The Triumph of Galatea' was popular in art from the Renaissance, Ansiglioni has treated the theme with a new vigour and sensuous energy. With consummate skill he has created a sculpture of entwining curves and finely worked details; features which together produce a ravishing image of late 19th Century beauty and taste.