Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 111, The Gilbert Bayes Gallery

Nude female figure

Statuette
16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This wax sketch-model of a nude female is attributed to Giambologna. Its small scale, the torsion of the body, and the implied directions of the limbs suggest that it may be meant to be complementary to a well-known type of small bronze from Giambologna's workshop, the 'Woman Bathing', but it could equally have been connected to another of his works.

Born in Flanders, Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), known as Giambologna, went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. On passing through Florence on his return home, he was persuaded to stay, later being appointed as sculptor to the Medici Dukes of Florence, later Grand-dukes of Tuscany. As such, he became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, establishing an extremely efficient workshop. Many sculptors from Northern Europe were drawn there, and subsequently disseminated his style on their return to the north.

By c. 1570 Giambologna had become the most influential sculptor in Europe; apart from the fame that his monumental statues in Florence inevitably brought, his style was also disseminated in the form of small bronze reproductions of his masterworks, or statuettes which he composed independently as elegant ornaments for the interior. These were used by the Medici as diplomatic gifts, and were also eagerly purchased by European collectors as examples of sophisticated Florentine design.



Object details

Category
Object type
TitleNude female figure (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Wax on iron armature
Brief description
Statuette, wax, model of a nude female figure, probably by Giovanni Bologna, known as Giambologna (1529-1608), Italy (Florence), about 1555-1560
Physical description
Wax statuette. Nude female figure, head, arms and right leg below knee missing.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11cm
Credit line
Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002
Object history
On loan for 5 years from 27th January, 1979, lent by Sir Brinsley Ford. Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance tax.
Summary
This wax sketch-model of a nude female is attributed to Giambologna. Its small scale, the torsion of the body, and the implied directions of the limbs suggest that it may be meant to be complementary to a well-known type of small bronze from Giambologna's workshop, the 'Woman Bathing', but it could equally have been connected to another of his works.

Born in Flanders, Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), known as Giambologna, went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. On passing through Florence on his return home, he was persuaded to stay, later being appointed as sculptor to the Medici Dukes of Florence, later Grand-dukes of Tuscany. As such, he became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, establishing an extremely efficient workshop. Many sculptors from Northern Europe were drawn there, and subsequently disseminated his style on their return to the north.

By c. 1570 Giambologna had become the most influential sculptor in Europe; apart from the fame that his monumental statues in Florence inevitably brought, his style was also disseminated in the form of small bronze reproductions of his masterworks, or statuettes which he composed independently as elegant ornaments for the interior. These were used by the Medici as diplomatic gifts, and were also eagerly purchased by European collectors as examples of sophisticated Florentine design.

Bibliographic reference
Giambologna 1529-1608. Sculptor to the Medici, Arts Council catalogue, 1978 (V&A)
Other number
LOAN:FORD.2 - Previous loan number
Collection
Accession number
A.2-2002

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

Record createdJune 13, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest