Benedetto Pistrucci
Cameo
1845 (made)
1845 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
An intaglio carving is cut into the surface of the material and a cameo is in relief. The art of gemstone carving was known in ancient Greece and Rome and revived in Renaissance Italy, when connoisseurs began to form rich collections of engraved stones. Shell cameos, which were cheaper and more easily worked, became fashionable in the 19th century. Many were bought by tourists as souvenirs. This cameo depicts the medallist and gem-engraver Benedetto Pistrucci.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Benedetto Pistrucci |
Materials and techniques | Bullmouth helmet shell |
Brief description | Benedetto Pistrucci, shell cameo, English, 1845 |
Physical description | Pistrucci is represented bare-headed in profile to the right. Wearing a coat with loose turn over collar and a mantle draped around the left shoulder. The head and bust mainly in white against a background of brownish lower stratum. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Bequeathed by Miss A.F. Long |
Object history | Formerly in the collection of Dr Archibald Billing. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | An intaglio carving is cut into the surface of the material and a cameo is in relief. The art of gemstone carving was known in ancient Greece and Rome and revived in Renaissance Italy, when connoisseurs began to form rich collections of engraved stones. Shell cameos, which were cheaper and more easily worked, became fashionable in the 19th century. Many were bought by tourists as souvenirs. This cameo depicts the medallist and gem-engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. |
Bibliographic reference | Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, L. I Modelli in Cera di Benedetto Pistrucci. Rome, 1989, I, p.40, no. 6. |
Collection | |
Accession number | A.5-1940 |
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Record created | January 12, 2004 |
Record URL |
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