Centaur attacked by a Dragon
Statuette
ca. 1600-1650 (made)
ca. 1600-1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze representing a Centaur being attacked by a Dragon, is made by the workshop of Fanelli in Italy in the first half of the 16th century.
Little is known about Francesco Fanelli (b: about 1577 - d: soon after 1641). Fanelli 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.
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, though its exact content can vary. Fanelli's 'bronzes' actually appear to be brass, which is a copper-zinc alloy, with a dark lacquer applied to the surface.
Little is known about Francesco Fanelli (b: about 1577 - d: soon after 1641). Fanelli 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.
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, though its exact content can vary. Fanelli's 'bronzes' actually appear to be brass, which is a copper-zinc alloy, with a dark lacquer applied to the surface.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Centaur attacked by a Dragon |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze, lost-wax casting. |
| Brief description | Statuette, Centaur attacked by a Dragon, bronze, possibly Italian, circa 1600-1650. |
| Physical description | Statuette of a centaur standing on his hind legs with its forelegs off the ground. The centaur holds a shield in his left hand and a club in his right hand, which is raised above his head. Underneath the centaur is a dragon which is biting the centaur's front left leg. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh |
| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1954. Formerly attributed to workshop of Francesco Fanelli (active 1609-d.1665). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze representing a Centaur being attacked by a Dragon, is made by the workshop of Fanelli in Italy in the first half of the 16th century. Little is known about Francesco Fanelli (b: about 1577 - d: soon after 1641). Fanelli 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. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, though its exact content can vary. Fanelli's 'bronzes' actually appear to be brass, which is a copper-zinc alloy, with a dark lacquer applied to the surface. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.5:1-1954 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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