ATTRIBUTED TO THE FLORENTINE GRAND DUCAL WORKSHOPS, AFTER MICHELANGELO, CIRCA 1722

Details

A GREY-PAINTED PLASTER BUST OF BACCHUS
ATTRIBUTED TO THE FLORENTINE GRAND DUCAL WORKSHOPS, AFTER MICHELANGELO, CIRCA 1722
Depicted with grape vines in his hair; on an integrally cast shaped rectangular socle with paper label to the reverse inscribed 'no. 6.'; surface dirt, minor chips
19 in. (48.3 cm.) high, overall

Provenance

One of the 35 'casts in jess' acquired by Thomas, 1st Earl of Macclesfield, described in a letter written by Lord Parker in Florence in January 1722.
Thence by descent at Shirburn Castle.

Literature

T. P. Connor, 'The fruits of a Grand Tour - Edward Wright and Lord Parker in Italy, 1720-22', in Apollo, July 1998, pp. 23-30.

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
U. Baldini ed., L'opera completa di Michelangelo scultore, Milan, 1973, pp. 90-91, pl. V.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This head of Bacchus is taken from the full length marble carved by Michelangelo in 1496-7. Originally commissioned by Cardinal Riario, it would later be acquired by Francesco de' Medici in 1571-72, and was one of the most famous of the 'modern' sculptures seen by people on the grand tour in Florence.

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