Caricature self portrait bust by Enrico Caruso
Sculpture
1909 (made)
1909 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Caricature self portrait bust by Enrico Caruso (1873-1921), bronze, 1909.
Operatic tenor Enrico Caruso achieved international fame in the early 20th century, thanks to the gramophone. Though he appeared at opera houses throughout Europe and the Americas, making more than 800 performances in New York, it was his recordings that won him a mass audience. His version of the aria 'Vesti la giubba' ('On with the motley') from Leoncavello’s opera Pagliacci, made in 1902, was the first record to sell over a million copies.
Caruso was also known as a caricaturist. He regularly contributed sketches to an Italian-American newspaper La Follia di New York, from which a book of drawings was produced in 1908. He also produced sculptures. In this bronze self portrait bust, he represents himself as a ‘laughing Buddha’. Only eight of the busts were cast. This example, and a framed photograph of Caruso holding the clay model for his sculpture, were held in the collection of opera-lover Anthony Gasson and were both acquired by the V&A.
Operatic tenor Enrico Caruso achieved international fame in the early 20th century, thanks to the gramophone. Though he appeared at opera houses throughout Europe and the Americas, making more than 800 performances in New York, it was his recordings that won him a mass audience. His version of the aria 'Vesti la giubba' ('On with the motley') from Leoncavello’s opera Pagliacci, made in 1902, was the first record to sell over a million copies.
Caruso was also known as a caricaturist. He regularly contributed sketches to an Italian-American newspaper La Follia di New York, from which a book of drawings was produced in 1908. He also produced sculptures. In this bronze self portrait bust, he represents himself as a ‘laughing Buddha’. Only eight of the busts were cast. This example, and a framed photograph of Caruso holding the clay model for his sculpture, were held in the collection of opera-lover Anthony Gasson and were both acquired by the V&A.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Caricature self portrait bust by Enrico Caruso (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Caricature self portrait bust by Enrico Caruso (1873-1921), bronze, 1909 |
| Physical description | Caricature bust of a laughing round faced man, with closed eyes and wide open mouth. Artist's signature and date reproduced on the figure's left side. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Credit line | Acquired with the support of the Friends of the V&A |
| Summary | Caricature self portrait bust by Enrico Caruso (1873-1921), bronze, 1909. Operatic tenor Enrico Caruso achieved international fame in the early 20th century, thanks to the gramophone. Though he appeared at opera houses throughout Europe and the Americas, making more than 800 performances in New York, it was his recordings that won him a mass audience. His version of the aria 'Vesti la giubba' ('On with the motley') from Leoncavello’s opera Pagliacci, made in 1902, was the first record to sell over a million copies. Caruso was also known as a caricaturist. He regularly contributed sketches to an Italian-American newspaper La Follia di New York, from which a book of drawings was produced in 1908. He also produced sculptures. In this bronze self portrait bust, he represents himself as a ‘laughing Buddha’. Only eight of the busts were cast. This example, and a framed photograph of Caruso holding the clay model for his sculpture, were held in the collection of opera-lover Anthony Gasson and were both acquired by the V&A. |
| Associated object | S.105-2015 (Depiction) |
| Bibliographic reference | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.104-2015 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 24, 2015 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
