Plaster cast from an original marble tomb of Emperor Henry VII of Luxemburg, in the right transept of Pisa Cathedral, Pisa, by Tino da Camaino, 1315, cast by Messrs Franchi & Son, London, ca. 1865

Purchased from Messrs Franchi & Son in 1865.

Henry VII died near Siena on St Bartholomew's Day (August 24th) 1313. His tomb was completed in February 1315 and was completed within the stipulated six months. It was installed in the tribune behind the high altar, but has suffered slow dismemberment through several removals. The original appearance of the monument was far more elaborate than either the cast in the Victoria and Albert Museum, or the present arrangement at Pisa. In both cases, only the effigy and the arcading containing eleven (originally twelve) apostles are preserved in their original relationship. Here, as in Pisa, the inscriptions and the consoles of the lower part date from 1494, when the tomb was removed to the chapel of San Ranieri. In the cast shown here, the lateral saints, Peter and Francis, probably date from the early 15th century and the originals of these figures are now in the Cathedral repository. At Pisa, their place is occupied by an Annunciation group from Tino di Camaino's workshop: the Virgin and Gabriel had been installed on either side of the effigy as early as 1829. The Annunciation may have formed part of the original monument, but would not initially have occupied this position, which most likely held angels drawing back curtains to reveal the effigy. Among the principal figures which have been identified as belonging to the original scheme are a group comprising the seated figure of Henry VII and four standing Councillors, now in the Camposanto, but which might once have been arranged above the gisant. It has also been established that there was below the tomb a related altar dedicated to St Bartholomew, which might have supported a group by Tino da Camaino including a central Madonna and Child (in the Museo Civico, Pisa) and a figure of St Bartholomew (now in storage in the Cathedral).

This is a plaster cast of the marble tomb of the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VII of Luxembourg (c. 1275-1313), which was commissioned from Tino di Camaino, who was the Master of the Works of Pisa Cathedral. Since the tomb was completed within six months, it is likely that much of the work was carried out by his assistants. It was subsequently moved, and later additions and changes made. Its original appearance was far more elaborate than either the plaster cast seen here, or the present arrangement at Pisa. Only the effigy and the arcading containing eleven (originally twelve) apostles are preserved in their original relationship. The plaster cast was made in about 1865 by Messrs. Franchi and Son, a London-based firm of plaster cast makers.

Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes.

REPRO.1865-50