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Statuette - An Allegory of History

An Allegory of History

  • Object:

    Statuette

  • Place of origin:

    Britain (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1896 - ca. 1934 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Joubert, Felix Amadeé (sculptor)
    Giambologna (designer)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Bronze

  • Museum number:

    A.67-1953

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

This bronze representing Geometry and Astrology was acquired as a known forgery by Joubert (possibly Felix Andreé Joubert), dating from the 19th or early 20th century (ca. 1896-1934), after a terracotta by Giambologna or one of his followers, which had been acquired by the Museum in 1937 (inv.no. A.110-1937).
In addition to producing fresh ideas, artists often looked at existing works, both contemporary and antique. Sometimes they adapted them in other materials and on a different scale. Giambologna worked out his designs in wax and clay models which his assistants then used to create the finished work in bronze or marble. His style influenced many European sculptors and this model was reproduced in bronze by workshops other than Giambologna’s own. Giambologna was a Flemish sculptor, active in Italy. Born and trained in Flanders, he travelled to Italy in 1550 to study the masterpieces of Classical and Renaissance sculpture. On his way home, he visited Florence (c. 1552) and was persuaded to settle there under the patronage of the Medici dukes, eventually becoming their court sculptor.

Physical description

Naked female figure reclining supported by a globe and a pile of books, one of which she holds open with both hands. At her feet is a mask.

Place of Origin

Britain (made)

Date

ca. 1896 - ca. 1934 (made)

Artist/maker

Joubert, Felix Amadeé (sculptor)
Giambologna (designer)

Materials and Techniques

Bronze

Dimensions

Height: 18.5 cm

Object history note

Given by Messrs Kerin and Calman, London, 1953. The bronze was acquired as a known forgery by Joubert (possibly Felix Andreé Joubert), dating from the 19th or early 20th century, after a terracotta by Giambologna or one of his followers, which had been acquired by the museum in 1937 (inv.no. A.110-1937).

Historical significance: Other bronze variants of this terracotta exist.

Descriptive line

Statuette, bronze, An Allegory of History (Geometry and Astrology), forgery after Giambolgna, possibly by Felix Amadeé Joubert, England, 19th or 20th century

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, p. 557, cat.no 747
Binnebeke, Emile von. Bronze Sculpture: Sculpture from 1500-1800 in the Collection of the Boymans-van-Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam, 1994, pp. 82-83, cat. no. 18
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. 477

Production Note

after a terracotta by Giambologna or one of his followers

Materials

Bronze

Subjects depicted

Naked woman

Categories

Bronze; Myths & Legends; Sculpture; Fakes & forgeries

Collection

Sculpture Collection

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