Anselmo
Figure
ca. 1765 (made), ca. 1759-1760 (modelled)
ca. 1765 (made), ca. 1759-1760 (modelled)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The Commedia dell’Arte, was a form of improvised street theatre, which spread from 16th-century Italy throughout Europe, and remained popular for around two centuries. Commedia dell'Arte troupes engaged in very physical acting using music, dance and acrobatics in their performances. While the plot was largely improvised, stock characters were used and were recognisable to the audience by their costumes, accents and poses. The popularity of this form of theatre inspired paintings and decorative objects depicting the commedia characters.
The eight pairs of porcelain commedia figures by Franz Anton Bustelli, created between 1759 and 1760 at Nymphenburg, capture the theatrical gestures used by the actors and are among the most important of all rococo ceramic sculptures. This figure's precise role in the commedia dell'arte is unclear today although Bustelli based him on a contemporary print engraved by Martin Engelbrecht where he is identified as Anselmo. He was originally modelled as one of a pair of figures, the other character being the lady's maid, Corine who is modelled reading a letter aloud to him. His hand gesture suggests intrigue, as he is possibly warning her to keep her voice down or stop speaking as someone is coming. The style of his hat and dress have also led him to be named as a religious figure, the Abbé.
The eight pairs of porcelain commedia figures by Franz Anton Bustelli, created between 1759 and 1760 at Nymphenburg, capture the theatrical gestures used by the actors and are among the most important of all rococo ceramic sculptures. This figure's precise role in the commedia dell'arte is unclear today although Bustelli based him on a contemporary print engraved by Martin Engelbrecht where he is identified as Anselmo. He was originally modelled as one of a pair of figures, the other character being the lady's maid, Corine who is modelled reading a letter aloud to him. His hand gesture suggests intrigue, as he is possibly warning her to keep her voice down or stop speaking as someone is coming. The style of his hat and dress have also led him to be named as a religious figure, the Abbé.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Anselmo |
Materials and techniques | Hard-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded |
Brief description | Figure of Anselmo, from the Commedia dell' arte, in hard-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded, modelled by F.A. Bustelli ca. 1759-1760, made by Nymphenburg porcelain factory, Nymphenburg, ca. 1765 |
Physical description | Figure of Anselmo, from the Commedia dell' arte, in hard-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded. He is standing, knees bent, leaning forward on a stick (now missing) in his right hand. His left hand is upraised. He is wearing a black coat, hat and shoes and black flowered grey waistcoat with gilt edges, lace collar and fawn gloves. Thin rococo scrolled base picked out in gold. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Object history | Bustelli created 16 paired figures from the commedia dell'arte which appear in the factory's Inventory of Moulds dated 1760. The source for this figure is a copperplate engraving by Martin Engelbrecht (dated to the mid 18th century) a copy of which is known to have been in Bustelli's possession, where the commedia characters are clearly defined and named. Anselmo is depicted as an older man, soberly dressed, wearing a cape and holding his hat and cane. Bustelli animated his character and paired him with Corinne, the lady's maid who stands reading or singing aloud (one model is known with words from a love letter signed by Leander, another with musical notes). His gesture to her hints at intrigue and may be to warn her to whisper or stop making a noise. The style of his hat and dress have also led him to be named as the Abbé. Anselmo's precise role is unknown as he only known through the Engelbrecht print. |
Subjects depicted | |
Literary reference | Commedia dell' arte |
Summary | The Commedia dell’Arte, was a form of improvised street theatre, which spread from 16th-century Italy throughout Europe, and remained popular for around two centuries. Commedia dell'Arte troupes engaged in very physical acting using music, dance and acrobatics in their performances. While the plot was largely improvised, stock characters were used and were recognisable to the audience by their costumes, accents and poses. The popularity of this form of theatre inspired paintings and decorative objects depicting the commedia characters. The eight pairs of porcelain commedia figures by Franz Anton Bustelli, created between 1759 and 1760 at Nymphenburg, capture the theatrical gestures used by the actors and are among the most important of all rococo ceramic sculptures. This figure's precise role in the commedia dell'arte is unclear today although Bustelli based him on a contemporary print engraved by Martin Engelbrecht where he is identified as Anselmo. He was originally modelled as one of a pair of figures, the other character being the lady's maid, Corine who is modelled reading a letter aloud to him. His hand gesture suggests intrigue, as he is possibly warning her to keep her voice down or stop speaking as someone is coming. The style of his hat and dress have also led him to be named as a religious figure, the Abbé. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | C.457-1927 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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