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拍品專文
The Milanese cesellatore, orafo and bronzista Eugenio Bellosio (1847-1927) was titled by one obtituary 'the Cellini of Lombardy'. A pupil of Giovanni Bellezza (1807-1876), who completed the magnificent 'Altar of the Madonna dell'Albero' for the Duomo in Milan, Bellosio also worked at the Duomo, producing twelve monumental torchères in gilt and patinated bronze.
Prior to coming for sale this magnificent centrepiece is thought to have remained unrecorded in the same important Milanese Palazzo since the early 1900s. Although apparently unsigned, this connection to the city of Milan, together with the exceptionally fine detail of the silver and bronze work, similarities to recorded examples and documentary evidence, supports an attribution to Bellosio. Conclusively, a journalist for the magazine Illustrazione Italiana wrote to Bellosio in October 1900 and, referring specifically to the centrepiece by the title it bears - Apothéose du Genie, commended it as one of the most beautiful objects he had seen at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle.
This monumental centrepiece is a defining object of the 1900 Exposition Universelle - the greatest 'great exhibition' of them all. Surmounted by a winged figure of Fame, with enamel portrait plaques honouring Astronomy, Music and Poetry above three silver figural groups emblematic of Art, Industry and Agriculture and set with shields enamelled with the Arms of thirty-six countries, it perfectly encapsulates the principals of the 1900 Exposition Universelle in its personification virtue, opulent triumphalism and commemoration of nations.
A contemporary catalogue describes the centrepiece as a celebration of human endeavour and ingenuity:
APOTHÉOSE DU GENIE
"Cette oeuvre glorifie le triomphe du Génie fêté aujourd'hui par les fils de France. La base, soutenue par des aigles, exprime l'audace sur laquelle posent les pavillons de toutes les nations qui concoururent unanimes à présenter les produits de leur esprit. Cet esprit est représenté par Musique, la Poésie, et l'Astronomie qui dominent, comme des reines, dans les trois compartiments. Trois groups représentent les beaux arts, les arts industriels et les arts agricoles. Plus haut les trios bustes: l'Historie, la Sagesse, la Persevérance, assurent aux peuples que la gloire d'une grande nation a pour base l'étude et le travail. Le Génie constant éclairant la pensée, d'en haut, glorifie et recompense.
La partie artistique-decorative de cette oeuvre est en argent; l'architecture et la charpente en bronze doré."
Prior to coming for sale this magnificent centrepiece is thought to have remained unrecorded in the same important Milanese Palazzo since the early 1900s. Although apparently unsigned, this connection to the city of Milan, together with the exceptionally fine detail of the silver and bronze work, similarities to recorded examples and documentary evidence, supports an attribution to Bellosio. Conclusively, a journalist for the magazine Illustrazione Italiana wrote to Bellosio in October 1900 and, referring specifically to the centrepiece by the title it bears - Apothéose du Genie, commended it as one of the most beautiful objects he had seen at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle.
This monumental centrepiece is a defining object of the 1900 Exposition Universelle - the greatest 'great exhibition' of them all. Surmounted by a winged figure of Fame, with enamel portrait plaques honouring Astronomy, Music and Poetry above three silver figural groups emblematic of Art, Industry and Agriculture and set with shields enamelled with the Arms of thirty-six countries, it perfectly encapsulates the principals of the 1900 Exposition Universelle in its personification virtue, opulent triumphalism and commemoration of nations.
A contemporary catalogue describes the centrepiece as a celebration of human endeavour and ingenuity:
APOTHÉOSE DU GENIE
"Cette oeuvre glorifie le triomphe du Génie fêté aujourd'hui par les fils de France. La base, soutenue par des aigles, exprime l'audace sur laquelle posent les pavillons de toutes les nations qui concoururent unanimes à présenter les produits de leur esprit. Cet esprit est représenté par Musique, la Poésie, et l'Astronomie qui dominent, comme des reines, dans les trois compartiments. Trois groups représentent les beaux arts, les arts industriels et les arts agricoles. Plus haut les trios bustes: l'Historie, la Sagesse, la Persevérance, assurent aux peuples que la gloire d'une grande nation a pour base l'étude et le travail. Le Génie constant éclairant la pensée, d'en haut, glorifie et recompense.
La partie artistique-decorative de cette oeuvre est en argent; l'architecture et la charpente en bronze doré."