Cupids as Caryatids
Relief
ca. 1730 (made)
ca. 1730 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This terracotta relief together with its pendant (Mus.no. 7717-1863) were made as sketch models for a larger composition in marble; this may have been a doorway, a grand chimneypiece, or perhaps a monument. Part of the finished work is in the Museum's collection (A.4-1990).
Rysbrack was born in Antwerp, and trained in the Netherlands, but spent his working life in Britain. He was one of the most important sculptors active in this country in the first half of the 18th century, and specialised in portrait busts and funerary monuments. Although he never visited Italy, many of his works are clearly indebted to classical archetypes. His terracotta models are particularly fine, and are often virtually finished pieces in their own right. Here it is interesting to note the slight changes which took place between the design of the terracotta relief and the final marble, especially in the areas of the moulding.
Rysbrack was born in Antwerp, and trained in the Netherlands, but spent his working life in Britain. He was one of the most important sculptors active in this country in the first half of the 18th century, and specialised in portrait busts and funerary monuments. Although he never visited Italy, many of his works are clearly indebted to classical archetypes. His terracotta models are particularly fine, and are often virtually finished pieces in their own right. Here it is interesting to note the slight changes which took place between the design of the terracotta relief and the final marble, especially in the areas of the moulding.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Cupids as Caryatids (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Terracotta in high relief |
| Brief description | Relief, terracotta, of two putti supporting an architrave, perhaps by John Michael Rysbrack, England, ca. 1730 |
| Physical description | Terracotta relief made as a sketch for a larger composition in marble, either a doorway or a grand chimney-piece. Two almost naked putti support an architrave, each with one arm raised. There is a pilaster to the right of the putti. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought, 6l. 6s. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This terracotta relief together with its pendant (Mus.no. 7717-1863) were made as sketch models for a larger composition in marble; this may have been a doorway, a grand chimneypiece, or perhaps a monument. Part of the finished work is in the Museum's collection (A.4-1990). Rysbrack was born in Antwerp, and trained in the Netherlands, but spent his working life in Britain. He was one of the most important sculptors active in this country in the first half of the 18th century, and specialised in portrait busts and funerary monuments. Although he never visited Italy, many of his works are clearly indebted to classical archetypes. His terracotta models are particularly fine, and are often virtually finished pieces in their own right. Here it is interesting to note the slight changes which took place between the design of the terracotta relief and the final marble, especially in the areas of the moulding. |
| Associated object | 7717-1863 (Pair) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 7718-1863 |
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| Record created | June 28, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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