Cardinale

"In Manzù's hands the Cardinals were transformed into compact forceful volumes, enlivened by extremely tender modeling and generously draped folds. The massiveness of the volumes is stressed by the economy of lines and the simplicity of plastic means...A simplification of this kind naturally makes the highest demands on technical skill... the planes are never lifeless, the folds are never rigid; by means of extremely sensitive modeling the surface is made to vibrate" (J. Rewald, Giacomo Manzù, London, 1967, p. 60). In the present piece, Manzù reduces forms to sharp planes, removing surface ornamentation and individualistic features. The upright pyramidal structure and frontal pose further enhance its sense of monumentality.