Portrait of a man
Bust
1460-1480 (sculpted), ca. 1867 (cast)
1460-1480 (sculpted), ca. 1867 (cast)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The identity of the original terracotta bust of a young man wearing an elaborate breastplate is unknown. That bust has been painted to resemble bronze, and may have been the model for a bronze which has since been lost. Its unusual bulbous base perhaps indicates it was originally intended for a specific setting, possibly a tomb. Antonio Pollaiulo, along with his brother Piero, was active as a painter, engraver and sculptor in 15th-century Florence. The cast was made by the London-based Italian firm, Franchi and Son.
Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes.
Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Portrait of a man (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Plaster Cast painted |
Brief description | Plaster Cast, painted plaster, of the bust of a man, after the pigmented terracotta original in the Museo Nazionale (Bargello), Florence, attributed to Antonio Pollaiolo, ca. 1460-1480, cast by Giovanni Franchi and Son, London, ca. 1867 |
Dimensions |
|
Gallery label |
|
Object history | Purchased from Messrs Franchi & Sons in 1867 for £1. |
Historical context | The original terracotta bust is coloured to resemble bronze. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The identity of the original terracotta bust of a young man wearing an elaborate breastplate is unknown. That bust has been painted to resemble bronze, and may have been the model for a bronze which has since been lost. Its unusual bulbous base perhaps indicates it was originally intended for a specific setting, possibly a tomb. Antonio Pollaiulo, along with his brother Piero, was active as a painter, engraver and sculptor in 15th-century Florence. The cast was made by the London-based Italian firm, Franchi and Son. Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes. |
Collection | |
Accession number | REPRO.1867-181 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | July 12, 2000 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest