Orpheus confronted by Cerberus
Statuette
ca. 1625-1650 (made)
ca. 1625-1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze statuette, representing the story of Orpheus, is made by the workshop of Francesoco Fanelli, in the 17th century.
According to Roman mythology Orpheus, the legendary poet famous for his lyre playing, persuaded Pluto to allow him to bring his dead wife back from the underworld on condition that he did not look back until they had returned. Finally, he glanced back and she disappeared for ever. The three-headed dog, Cerberus, guards the entrance to the underworld.
Franceso Fanelli (1577- ca. 1641) was first documented in Genoa in 1608, where, until about 1631, he produced religious works in marble, silver, ivory and bronze. By 1635, he was working at the English court. Although he described himself 'sculptor to the King of Great Britain', it is unclear whether this title was officially conferred. The V&A owns versions of several small bronzes by 'ffrancisco the one-eyed Italian' listed in an inventory of Whitehall Palace in 1639. George Vertue stated that Fanelli 'lv'd and dyd in England'; he is last documented in 1641 and believed to have died soon after.
According to Roman mythology Orpheus, the legendary poet famous for his lyre playing, persuaded Pluto to allow him to bring his dead wife back from the underworld on condition that he did not look back until they had returned. Finally, he glanced back and she disappeared for ever. The three-headed dog, Cerberus, guards the entrance to the underworld.
Franceso Fanelli (1577- ca. 1641) was first documented in Genoa in 1608, where, until about 1631, he produced religious works in marble, silver, ivory and bronze. By 1635, he was working at the English court. Although he described himself 'sculptor to the King of Great Britain', it is unclear whether this title was officially conferred. The V&A owns versions of several small bronzes by 'ffrancisco the one-eyed Italian' listed in an inventory of Whitehall Palace in 1639. George Vertue stated that Fanelli 'lv'd and dyd in England'; he is last documented in 1641 and believed to have died soon after.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Orpheus confronted by Cerberus (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, Orpheus confronted by Cerberus, bronze, probably workshop of Francesco Fanelli (active 1609-d.1665), Anglo-Italian, ca. 1625-1650 |
| Physical description | Bronze statuette of Orpheus confronted by Cerberus. Orpheus, leaning forward, his right foot on a rock, playing on a lyre; Cerberus standing in front of him, guarding the descent into Hades. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Historical context | According to Roman mythology Orpheus, the legendary poet famous for his lyre playing, persuaded Pluto to allow him to bring his dead wife back from the underworld on condition that he did not look back until they had returned. Finally, he glanced back and she disappeared for ever. The three-headed dog, Cerberus, guards the entrance to the underworld. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze statuette, representing the story of Orpheus, is made by the workshop of Francesoco Fanelli, in the 17th century. According to Roman mythology Orpheus, the legendary poet famous for his lyre playing, persuaded Pluto to allow him to bring his dead wife back from the underworld on condition that he did not look back until they had returned. Finally, he glanced back and she disappeared for ever. The three-headed dog, Cerberus, guards the entrance to the underworld. Franceso Fanelli (1577- ca. 1641) was first documented in Genoa in 1608, where, until about 1631, he produced religious works in marble, silver, ivory and bronze. By 1635, he was working at the English court. Although he described himself 'sculptor to the King of Great Britain', it is unclear whether this title was officially conferred. The V&A owns versions of several small bronzes by 'ffrancisco the one-eyed Italian' listed in an inventory of Whitehall Palace in 1639. George Vertue stated that Fanelli 'lv'd and dyd in England'; he is last documented in 1641 and believed to have died soon after. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 9 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.120-1910 |
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| Record created | October 21, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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