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Lot Essay
The present figure of Bacchus derives from the life-size marble sculpture of Bacchus by Michelangelo and conserved in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence.
Commissioned in circa 1496-98 to lavish the garden of Cardinal Raffaele Riari, it was intended to sit among his collection of ancient sculptures. The importance of this marble and the impressiveness of Michelangelo's talent is inestimable but, needless to say, it went on to inspire numerous artists from the 16th century onwards.
The bronze offered here is a faithful reproduction of Michelangelo's original: Bacchus is depicted holding a chalice and is followed by a faun holding a bunch of grapes. The quality of cast, the reddish-brown patina and well observed details would suggest that this bronze was produced in the vicinity of where the model resided, that is to say, in a Florentine workshop.
Commissioned in circa 1496-98 to lavish the garden of Cardinal Raffaele Riari, it was intended to sit among his collection of ancient sculptures. The importance of this marble and the impressiveness of Michelangelo's talent is inestimable but, needless to say, it went on to inspire numerous artists from the 16th century onwards.
The bronze offered here is a faithful reproduction of Michelangelo's original: Bacchus is depicted holding a chalice and is followed by a faun holding a bunch of grapes. The quality of cast, the reddish-brown patina and well observed details would suggest that this bronze was produced in the vicinity of where the model resided, that is to say, in a Florentine workshop.