Female Allegory
Early 16th cent. | Simone Bianco
This charming sculpture with a sophisticated hairstyle and finely modelled features is reminiscent of a private portrait. The “Greek” nose, however, is not typical of an individual portrait and – like the highly detailed hair – is indebted to the depictions of gods and goddesses of classical antiquity. Thus this is most likely a decorative allegory, perhaps of one of the virtues or a personification, such as Spring or Youth. There must have been more precise indications of the meaning on the bust, which has been lost.
This charming sculpture with a sophisticated hairstyle and finely modelled features is reminiscent of a private portrait. The “Greek” nose, however, is not typical of an individual portrait and – like the highly detailed hair – is indebted to the depictions of gods and goddesses of classical antiquity. Thus this is most likely a decorative allegory, perhaps of one of the virtues or a personification, such as Spring or Youth. There must have been more precise indications of the meaning on the bust, which has been lost.
Attributed to:
Simone Bianco (um 1480/90 Loro Ciuffenna - nach 1553 Venedig) DNB
Time:
Early 16th cent.
Object Name
Head
Culture
Neuzeitlich
Location of discovery:
Unbekannt
Material/technology:
Marble
Dimensions:
H.: 36 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Antikensammlung
Invs.
Antikensammlung, I 1490
Provenance
Coll. Este - Catajo; in the possession of Archduke Franz Ferdinand; 1923 added to the inventory
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