19th century carved arbutus bust of a Renaissance style man, 19th century
H-42cm W-19cm D-20cm
The original, said to be of the 16th century poet Girolamo Benivieni, which is in the Louvre, was made by a teenager called Giovanni Bastianini in 1863 as one of a number of sculptures commissioned by antiquarian Giovanni Freppa to be in the manner of Renaissance masters. These were then sold as authentic Renaissance discoveries. It ended up being purchased by the Louvre and was displayed alongside the likes of Michaelangelo.
After persistent rumours, eventually the truth came out and it was discovered that the subject was actually a 19th century Florentine tobacconist. Bastianini died aged 38 and never recovered from the stress of the whole saga. The original is still in the Louvre.
Ours is a well carved 19th century arbutus wood copy of this sculpture
After persistent rumours, eventually the truth came out and it was discovered that the subject was actually a 19th century Florentine tobacconist. Bastianini died aged 38 and never recovered from the stress of the whole saga. The original is still in the Louvre.
Ours is a well carved 19th century arbutus wood copy of this sculpture
S00048
£6,800.00
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