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Bust of a Classical Hero or Emperor

Girolamo della Robbiaearly to mid 16th century

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

This bust most likely represents an emperor or condottiere from classical antiquity, and probably formed part of a series of classical heads. Such groups of worthies were featured as decorative schemes in the <em>studioli</em> and architectural projects of Renaissance statesmen. Attesting to the sophistication of their learned patrons, these busts also provided the opportunity for artists to explore the contemporary stylistic relevance of classical portraiture—a source of fascination and inspiration for Florentine sculptors of this period.

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  • Title: Bust of a Classical Hero or Emperor
  • Creator: Girolamo della Robbia (Italian, 1488–1566)
  • Date Created: early to mid 16th century
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 37.5 x 37.5 x 21 cm (14 3/4 x 14 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.)
  • Provenance: Giovanni and Gabriella Barilla, Geneva, from an unknown date. Sold at Sotheby's London 14 March 2012 (lot 6) as "Workshop of Girolamo della Robbia"; Andrew Butterfield Fine Art; Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Type: Sculpture
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2013.31
  • Medium: glazed terracotta
  • Fun Fact: Head-and-shoulders portraits, known as busts, were popular from Roman times.
  • Department: European Painting and Sculpture
  • Culture: Italy, 16th century
  • Credit Line: John L. Severance Fund
  • Collection: Sculpture
  • Accession Number: 2013.31
The Cleveland Museum of Art

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