Lot Essay
This strongly emotional head is a reworking of an extract of Bernini's celebrated group of Pluto and Proserpine of 1621-22 (Rome, Galleria Borghese) in which the maiden writhes and weeps in the arms of her strong abductor. This variant differs principally in having the looped tresses of hair caught in at the back of the head, rather than dramatically flying out in curly spirals behind.
It has been suggested by Dr. Andrea Bacchi that the facial modelling here may be compared with the work of Monnot, a follower of the third generation of Roman Baroque sculpture, never having personally met Bernini who had died in 1680.
Bacchi writes: "Monnot's work is marked by a Berninesque rhythm and grace, and a Baroque intensity of emotion. His facial modelling is distinctive, and may be recognised in this bust, which characteristically heightens an antique type through a strong injection of sensibility."
The son of Etienne Monnot, a sculptor in wood, Pierre Etienne studied at Dijon under Jean Dubois before moving to Rome in 1687. He won early success in the city, and three years later was commissioned to execute the tomb of Pope Innocent XI, which was erected in St. Peter's 1697-1700. He carved two important statues of Saints Peter and Paul for S. Giovanni in Laterano, among other ecclesiastical commissions. He built up a large and flourishing workshop in Rome that at times employed more than 50 sculptors and assistants, including the young Bartolomeo Cavaceppi (see no. 50). A large project of his later years, the execution of statuary for the Marmorbad at Cassel for the Landgrave Wilhelm III, kept him much in Germany.
It has been suggested by Dr. Andrea Bacchi that the facial modelling here may be compared with the work of Monnot, a follower of the third generation of Roman Baroque sculpture, never having personally met Bernini who had died in 1680.
Bacchi writes: "Monnot's work is marked by a Berninesque rhythm and grace, and a Baroque intensity of emotion. His facial modelling is distinctive, and may be recognised in this bust, which characteristically heightens an antique type through a strong injection of sensibility."
The son of Etienne Monnot, a sculptor in wood, Pierre Etienne studied at Dijon under Jean Dubois before moving to Rome in 1687. He won early success in the city, and three years later was commissioned to execute the tomb of Pope Innocent XI, which was erected in St. Peter's 1697-1700. He carved two important statues of Saints Peter and Paul for S. Giovanni in Laterano, among other ecclesiastical commissions. He built up a large and flourishing workshop in Rome that at times employed more than 50 sculptors and assistants, including the young Bartolomeo Cavaceppi (see no. 50). A large project of his later years, the execution of statuary for the Marmorbad at Cassel for the Landgrave Wilhelm III, kept him much in Germany.