This bronze sculpture of a winged putto with a fish is probably made from a model by Donatello, in ca. 1435-40.
Until the object was cleaned, this putto was thought to be standing on a 'rocky base', but it proved to be a tortoise, one of the Medici emblems. The figure was originally designed for a small wall fountain, most likely for the Villa at Careggi or one of the other Medici Villas. He would originally have held a whirligig which would have turned as it was hit by the water from the penis. Jet's of water would also have sprayed from the fish's mouth.
The figure is a putto or erote - in winged form with classicizing long hair, reminiscent of antique prototypes. The sculpture demonstrates the importance of antiquity informing the work of Donatello.
Physical description
The figure of the putto is posed frontally with wings outstretched, standing on a tortoise. On his head he wears a circlet, below which the hair is disposed in long curls. On his shoulders he supports a fantastic fish. The figure was originally piped for use as a fountain. There is an aperture at the back, and water would have played from both the mouth of the fish and the penis. The putto would originally have held a whirligig, now missing.
Place of Origin
Florence, Italy (made)
Date
ca. 1435 - ca. 1440 (made)
Artist/maker
Donatello, born 1386 - died 1466 (probably, maker)
Materials and Techniques
Bronze, cast
Dimensions
Height: 40.5 cm, Width: 40.4 cm, Depth: 11 cm, Weight: 7.02 kg
Object history note
This small wall fountain figure was most likely made for one of the Medici villas. It was bought from the Piot Collection sale (Paris, 1864, 25-30 April, No. 24, £160).
Historical significance: Until the object was cleaned, the putto was thought to be standing on a 'rocky base', but it proved to be a tortoise, one of the Medici emblems. The work is significant for the MRG context because it shows the relevance of antiquity for Donatello. The putto - or erote - in its most classical, winged form seems to be the only one used by Donatello. The naked figure stands in a contrapposto pose with his classicizing long hair, all reminiscent of antique prototypes, but transformed and made relevant to the Medici by the discreet addition of their emblem.
Historical context note
The figure was originally designed for a small wall fountain, most likely for the Villa at Careggi or one of the other Medici Villas. He would originally have held a whirligig which would have turned as it was hit by the water from the penis.
Descriptive line
Statuette, bronze, depicting winged Putto with a Fantasitic Fish, probably from a model by Donatello, Italy, ca. 1435-1440
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Maclagan, Eric and Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1932. p. 21
Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum vol.1. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964. pp. 78-80
Inventory of Art Objects acquired in the Year 1864. Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol. 1. London : Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868. p. 72
Avery, Charles. Donatello: Catalogo Completo delle Opere. Firenze : Cantini, 1991. p. 72
Seymour, Charles. The Sculpture of Verrocchio. London: Studio Vista, 1971. pp. 55-56
Gentilini, Giancarlo. I Della Robbia : La Scultura Invetriata nel Rinascimento, vol. 1. Florence, 1992. PP. 106, 163-164
Exhibition History
Precious: Objects and Changing Values (The Millennium Galleries, Sheffield 02/04/2001-24/06/2001)
Italian Renaissance Sculpture in the time of Donatello: An Exhibition to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of Donatello's Birth and the 100th Anniversary of the Detroit Institute of Arts (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas 22/02/1986-27/04/1986)
Italian Renaissance Sculpture in the time of Donatello: An Exhibition to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of Donatello's Birth and the 100th Anniversary of the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit Institute of Arts 23/10/1985-05/01/1986)
Italian Bronze Statuettes (26/07/1961-25/03/1962)
A Grand Design - The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum (Victoria and Albert Museum 12/10/1999-16/01/2000)
Labels and date
Winged boy with a fish
About 1435–40
Donatello (about 1386–1466)
This classically inspired and witty fi gure
might have been made for a wall fountain
in one of the Medici gardens, since the
boy stands on a tortoise, a Medici symbol.
Jets of water would have sprayed from the
fi sh’s mouth and the boy’s penis, probably
turning a waterwheel now missing from
the boy’s right hand.
Italy, Florence
Bronze, with traces of gilding
Museum no. 475-1864 [2009]
Materials
Bronze
Techniques
Casting
Subjects depicted
Fish; Putto; Tortoise
Categories
Sculpture
Collection code
SCP
