Winged Putto with a Fantastic Fish
Statuette
ca. 1435 - ca. 1440 (made)
ca. 1435 - ca. 1440 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze sculpture of a winged putto with a fish is probably made by Donatello, in about 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. It 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, the winged form with classicizing long hair, reminiscent of antique prototypes that seem to have particularly appealed to Donatello.
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. It 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, the winged form with classicizing long hair, reminiscent of antique prototypes that seem to have particularly appealed to Donatello.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Winged Putto with a Fantastic Fish (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze, cast |
| Brief description | Statuette, 'Winged Putto with a Fantastic Fish', cast in bronze, partially gilded, probably by Donatello, Italy, ca. 1435-1440 |
| Physical description | The figure of the putto (or erote) 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. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | 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). 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 putto - or erote - as seen here 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 | 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. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze sculpture of a winged putto with a fish is probably made by Donatello, in about 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. It 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, the winged form with classicizing long hair, reminiscent of antique prototypes that seem to have particularly appealed to Donatello. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 475-1864 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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