Anatomical figure thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Anatomical figure

Wax Model
ca. 1550-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Florence (made)

This red wax model of an anatomical figure is made by an unknown artist in Italy (Florence), about 1550-1600.

It was formerly ascribed to Michelangelo as a study for the 'Bacchus'.
It is probably a sculptor's model rather than an instructional figure.


Object details

Category
Sculpture
Object type
Wax model
TitleAnatomical figure (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Wax on copper wire
Wax
Copper
Brief description
Red wax model of an anatomical fitgure, Italy (Florence), about 1550-1600
Physical description
Red wax model on a skeleton of copper wire, an anatomical study of the skeleton, standing, the left knee raised, the right arm hanging down
Dimensions
  • Height: 479mm
Object history
Formerly in the Gherardini Collection of artists’ terracotta and wax models Acquired in 1854
Production
Formerly ascribed to Michelangelo
Subject depicted
Skeleton
Summary
This red wax model of an anatomical figure is made by an unknown artist in Italy (Florence), about 1550-1600.

It was formerly ascribed to Michelangelo as a study for the 'Bacchus'.
It is probably a sculptor's model rather than an instructional figure.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1854. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 18.
  • Maclagan, Eric and Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. Text. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1932, p. 128.
  • Amerson Price L., Jr. The Problem of the Écorché: A Catalogue Raisonné of Models and Statuettes from the Sixteenth Century and Later Periods. Phd thesis, Pennsylvania Stae University, May 1975, p. 173, fig. 142., n. 56.
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Volume II: Text. Sixteenth to Twentieth Century. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964, p. 429.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
4114-1854

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Record createdAugust 24, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O102713/anatomical-figure-wax-model-unknown/
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