The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 25, 2024
Bust of a Classical Hero or Emperor
early to mid 16th century
(Italian, 1488–1566)
Overall: 37.5 x 37.5 x 21 cm (14 3/4 x 14 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 2013.31
Location: 117A Italian Renaissance
Did You Know?
Head-and-shoulders portraits, known as busts, were popular from Roman times.Description
This bust most likely represents an emperor or condottiere from classical antiquity, and probably formed part of a series of classical heads. Such groups of worthies were featured as decorative schemes in the studioli and architectural projects of Renaissance statesmen. Attesting to the sophistication of their learned patrons, these busts also provided the opportunity for artists to explore the contemporary stylistic relevance of classical portraiture—a source of fascination and inspiration for Florentine sculptors of this period.- Giovanni and Gabriella Barilla, Geneva, from an unknown date. Sold at Sotheby's London 14 March 2012 (lot 6) as "Workshop of Girolamo della Robbia"; Andrew Butterfield Fine Art; Cleveland Museum of Art
- Cambareri, Marietta, Abigail Hykin, and Courtney Leigh Harris. Della Robbia: Sculpting with Color in Renaissance Florence. 2016. catalogue no. 53 82-83
- Della Robbia Sculpting with Color in Renaissance Florence. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston, MA (organizer) (August 9-December 4, 2016); National Gallery of Art, Landover, MD (February 5-June 4, 2017).Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA (8/9/2016 – 12/4/2016) and National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC (2/5/2017 – 6/4/2017): "Della Robbia Sculptures in American Collections" cat. no. 53, p. 82-83.
- {{cite web|title=Bust of a Classical Hero or Emperor|url=false|author=Girolamo della Robbia|year=early to mid 16th century|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2013.31