Relief, coloured wax, Soul in Purgatory, possibly by Giovanni Bernardino Azzolino, Italian, about 1620-30

A naked male bust emerging from modelled flames and coals. The background and sides of the interior of the deep stained and gilded box frame are painted red and black to resemble flames. The head of the ‘soul’ has long curly hair and his eyes are cast upward in supplication with his mouth is open.

Given by the Trustees of the Wellcome Trust

This wax is one of a set of four which have previously been described as having been produced by the workshop of Giulio Gaetano Zumbo, following John Pope-Hennessy's attribution of other related waxes already in the collection at the time of their acquisition (A.65 & 66-1938; Pope-Hennessy 1964, op.cit.). However, more recently historian Gabriele Finaldi (1994, op. cit.) has attributed similar waxes, formerly on the New York art market, to the painter and sculptor Giovan Bernardino Azzolino (c.1572-1645), known to have been a wax-modeller, which also represent souls in Paradise, Purgatory and Hell, which suggests that these may also be by the same artist.

Purchased from Ferrando, Rome, April 1931 by the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine. Given by the Wellcome Institute in 1982, together with A.20 / 21 / 22-1982.

This small framed wax is one of a set of four showing souls in different states (see also A.20 to 22-1982). These highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux served as ‘memento mori’, intended to inspire thoughts on mortality. Wax modelling had already acquired a certain status by the sixteenth century, as it is ideal for producing the type of intricate workmanship on a small scale which can be seen in this object, and enhanced by the use of colour and texture to mimic flesh. The inscription on the back of the frame, ' Miseremini mei' is Latin for 'have pity on me' and is from the New Testament of the Bible (John 19:21). It forms part of the Requiem Mass and suggests the viewer should pray for souls in Purgatory.

A.20-1982