Laughing Boy

ca. 1460/64, Artist: Desiderio da Settignano

 

 

Laughing Boy

Desiderio invented a new genre for private devotion: small busts of boys as idealized depictions of Christ and John the Baptist, chiefly intended to inspire children to virtuous behaviour through identification with the sacred models. The sculptor, himself a father many times over, created one of the earliest child portraits in the history of art with this exceptionally lively bust.

Location: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer Wien Raum XXXIV

Object data

Object Name

Statuette; Bust; Stone Sculpture

Culture

Florence

Dated

ca. 1460/64

Artist

Desiderio da Settignano (1429/30 Florenz - 1464 Florenz) - GND

Material

Marble

Dimensions

33 cm × 21,5 cm

Image rights

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kunstkammer

Inv. No.

Kunstkammer, 9104

Kunst & Patenschaft

Das Kunsthistorische Museum bedankt sich herzlich bei Michael Grabner für die Kunstpatenschaft!