Bacchus - SOLD

The bust presented here, sculpted from a single block of white marble, depicts "Bacchus". Genoa, early 18th century, the work of Domenico Parodi (Genoa 1672-1742) and Francesco Biggi (Genoa 1672-1736). Information on the lives of the painter and sculptor is reported by Raffaele Soprani (painter and art historian) in Vite de' pittori, scultori, ed architetti genovesi. Revised, enlarged, and enriched with notes by Carlo Giuseppe Ratti, painter, Tomo secondo, Genoa, 1759, pp. 208-232. Domenico, son of Filippo, painter, sculptor, and architect, in statuary "was taught by his Father: then he continued his studies on his own with such accuracy and constancy; that in this Profession he succeeded no less than he had succeeded in Painting" (p. 222) Upon the death of his father, he inherited the prestigious workshop and one of his disciples, Francesco Biggi: "This Biggi had much skill and grace in working with marble: and our Domenico trusted so much in his expertise that, given the model, he left him the freedom to conduct the statue upon it." (p. 230) In this sculpture of ours, the god, as well as an allegorical figure of autumn, is depicted as a young man with androgynous beauty. The naked body is wrapped in a soft cloak; the hair is adorned with flowers, and a bunch of vines surrounds the face with a slight smile. The unpublished work is accompanied by a descriptive sheet from Prof. Daniele Sanguineti, who defines it as an important piece in the catalog of statuary designed by Domenico Parodi and created by Francesco Biggi. Dimensions: height 52 cm