Bust of Rosa Trivulzio Poldi Pezzoli

This bust portrays Rosa Trivulzio, mother of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli at the age of 28.
The lady herself commissioned this work in 1828 to Lorenzo Bartolini, who was at the time the most admired Italian sculptor after Antonio Canova’s death. His ability as a carver is visible in the expressive features of the face, the refined folds of the dress and the detailed rendering of the curled hair.

After her death, Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli kept the bust of his mother in his private study.
The sculpture had a sentimental importance for Rosa’s son. Indeed, he used to decorate the statue with a precious golden necklace with cameos, which had belong to Rosa.