A Blessed Soul
Relief
ca. 1700 (made)
ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This wax is one of a pair, which may have been part of a larger group. Similar objects in the collection (A.19, 20, 21, 22-1982) also represent souls in Paradise, Purgatory and Hell. These highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux served as ‘memento mori’, intended to inspire thoughts on mortality. Wax modelling had acquired a certain status by the sixteenth century, as it lends itself to 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.
This wax is in the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo or Zummo (1656-1701), who was known for his expressiveness, as seen in this evocative image. Born in Syracuse to an impoverished aristocratic Sicilian family, the early life and training of Zumbo is shrouded in mystery. He spent time in Rome, Naples and Bologna, where his presence among circles of anatomists is recorded. In Bologna, he is thought to have been the first to propose using coloured wax for anatomical teaching models. From 1691 to 1695, he served Grand Duke Cosimo III and created his most famous teatrini (‘little theatres’), many of which were highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux that served as ‘memento mori’ and intended to inspire thoughts on mortality (such as A.3-1966).
This wax is in the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo or Zummo (1656-1701), who was known for his expressiveness, as seen in this evocative image. Born in Syracuse to an impoverished aristocratic Sicilian family, the early life and training of Zumbo is shrouded in mystery. He spent time in Rome, Naples and Bologna, where his presence among circles of anatomists is recorded. In Bologna, he is thought to have been the first to propose using coloured wax for anatomical teaching models. From 1691 to 1695, he served Grand Duke Cosimo III and created his most famous teatrini (‘little theatres’), many of which were highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux that served as ‘memento mori’ and intended to inspire thoughts on mortality (such as A.3-1966).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | A Blessed Soul (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Wax, on glass |
| Brief description | Wax relief in the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo, Italy, ca. 1670-1700. |
| Physical description | This relief in coloured wax, which is set on a red glass ground with sloping side pieces of mirror glass, shows the head and shoulders of a youthful male figure with long brown hair. Across the foreground runs a strip of cloud made from quartz, and above is an almost obliterated oval painting of a Saint. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Wax. Illustrating 'Purgatory' by 'Zumbo' one of the same on a large scale is in the Pitti Palace, Florence. Exhib. at Italn. Art Exhibn. From Propert Coll.' (On a label on the back of the frame.) |
| Gallery label | Waxes showing the fate of the soul
These dramatic and highly realistic wax sculptures depict the possible fate of the immortal soul. According to Catholic doctrine, the soul is judged at death and sent to Heaven for eternal reward, Hell for eternal punishment, or Purgatory for a period of purifying repentance. These sculptures were probably for private devotion, a potent reminder of the terrifying fate of damnation and that time in Purgatory could be lessened through the prayers of the living.
A Soul at Death
About 1620–30
Italy (Naples)
Possibly by Giovanni Bernardo Azzolino
Coloured wax on painted glass
Inscribed on the back of the frame in Latin ‘Death to the bad, life to the good’
Given by the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine
Museum no. A.19-1982
A Damned Soul
About 1700
Italy (Naples)
In the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo
Coloured wax on glass and painted copper, with mirror glass, quartz and mica
Bequeathed by Lady de Gex
Museum no. A.66-1938
A Blessed Soul
About 1700
Italy (Naples)
In the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo
Coloured wax on glass and painted copper, with mirror glass, quartz and mica
Bequeathed by Lady de Gex
Museum no. A.65-1938
A Soul in Purgatory
About 1620–30
Italy (Naples)
Possibly by Giovanni Bernardo Azzolino
Coloured wax on painted glass
Inscribed on the back of the frame in Latin ‘Have mercy upon me'
Given by the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine
Museum no. A.20-1982(09.12.2015) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Lady de Gex |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Lady de Gex. |
| Production | In the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo (1656-1701) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This wax is one of a pair, which may have been part of a larger group. Similar objects in the collection (A.19, 20, 21, 22-1982) also represent souls in Paradise, Purgatory and Hell. These highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux served as ‘memento mori’, intended to inspire thoughts on mortality. Wax modelling had acquired a certain status by the sixteenth century, as it lends itself to 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. This wax is in the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo or Zummo (1656-1701), who was known for his expressiveness, as seen in this evocative image. Born in Syracuse to an impoverished aristocratic Sicilian family, the early life and training of Zumbo is shrouded in mystery. He spent time in Rome, Naples and Bologna, where his presence among circles of anatomists is recorded. In Bologna, he is thought to have been the first to propose using coloured wax for anatomical teaching models. From 1691 to 1695, he served Grand Duke Cosimo III and created his most famous teatrini (‘little theatres’), many of which were highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux that served as ‘memento mori’ and intended to inspire thoughts on mortality (such as A.3-1966). |
| Associated object | |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.65-1938 |
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| Record created | March 12, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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