#Renaissance sculpture

[jeannepompadour]

Bust of a young girl, workshop of Andrea della Robbia, 1465-70

[pmamtraveller]

ABDUCTION OF A SABINE WOMAN /1579-83/ by GIAMBOLOGNA

Giambologna's sculpture depicts a dramatic moment from ancient Roman history, where a Roman soldier, in a powerful and dynamic pose, is carrying off a Sabine woman as a Sabine elder crouches in defeat below them.

The sculpture is carved from a single block of marble, in the Mannerist "figura serpentinata" style, through which the three figures are twisted and locked together in a dynamic, spiralling composition; the precise carving techniques give way to the integration of forms and illusion of movement.

The emotions that this sculpture conveys range from the determination and strength of the soldier to the anguish of the woman in her resistance. Through its intensity, it gives a three-dimensionality to the narrative and thoroughly immerses the viewer.

The theme of the abduction of the Sabine women is one from Roman mythology and history. The Romans kidnapped Sabine women to populate their city after its foundation. Giambologna's sculpture reflects the Renaissance fascination with classical themes and narratives.

[letsgostealthelouvre]

For when you need a spoon that carries a distinct threat of violence.

[ID: A wooden spoon with a wide and shallow bowl; instead of a handle, there is a carving of a man standing “on top” of the upper part of the spoon. He wears poofy pantaloons, a breastplate, and a decorative hat, all of which are reminiscent of an old-timey guard or watchman; he carries a halberd, a long pole with an axe head at one end, in his hand.]

[charlesreeza]

The Pretorian Fountain and Palace (City Hall) - Palermo, Sicily

Photo by Charles Reeza

[vvrong]

9.29

Accademia Gallery: David of Michelangelo

[kaalbela]

Ligier Richier. The Virgin, c. 1530s / Saint John the Evangelist, c. 1530s.

[noxaeternaetc]

Michelangelo Buonarotti (1475-1564) The Day, Tomb of Giuliano de 'Medici, Florence.

[poisonedcreature]

[skulsakz]

sirena of the granvelle palace by claude lullier, france s.XVI

[53v3nfrn5]

Barbara Polderman: Woman With Three Horses (2008)

[pmamtraveller]

PERSEUS WITH THE HEAD OF MEDUSA | 1545–54 | by BENVENUTO CELLINI

The bronze statue depicts the mythological hero PERSEUS standing triumphantly over the body of MEDUSA, holding her recently severed head in one hand and his sword in the other.

CELLINI, a renowned goldsmith and sculptor of the RENAISSANCE period, was commissioned by COSIMO I DE' MEDICI to create this work in 1545. The sculpture is full of intricate details that bring the myth to life, such as PERSEUS' winged sandals for speed, and the helmet of invisibility. The base of the statue is an integral part of the composition, with figures representing MERCURY, DANAË, JUPITER, and MINERVA.

The creation of this sculpture was a remarkable technical achievement for CELLINI. The casting process was extremely complex, as he had to create a flame at a precise temperature to melt the bronze in a single casting. After cooling, the statue underwent a lengthy polishing process that lasted from 1549 to 1554, when it was finally presented in the square.

Beyond its technical mastery, PERSEUS WITH THE HEAD OF MEDUSA also had a significant political meaning in its time. The statue was seen as a representation of the power of DUKE COSIMO I, who had "CUT OFF THE HEAD" of the FLORENTINE REPUBLIC. MEDUSA symbolized the Republican experiment, and the snakes coming out of her body were interpreted as the discords that had always affected democracy.

CELLINI'S sculpture is a testament to the skill and innovation of RENAISSANCE SCULPTORS. The statue's technical complexity, intricate details, and political symbolism have made it a lasting icon of ITALIAN ART history

[letsgostealthelouvre]

There’s a point in a story I wrote recently where a retired king, discussing princehood with his adoptive son, mentions that if he officially becomes a prince, he gets a ceremonial knife, mostly as a joke; this is definitely the kind of knife I was thinking of when I wrote that (although the king and prince are Jewish and this is a Really Christian Knife). 

It’s worth it to check out the Louvre’s record, click on the handle image, and then enlarge it; the carving is a masterwork and very fun to decipher. 

[ID: Two images; one shows a knife with a steel blade and boxwood handle. The second image is a close-up of the handle, which has been carved with tiny intricate figures; it looks like the interior of a church with arched recesses, each of which has a tiny tableau of a biblical scene. It’s difficult to tell, but the scenes include top left, the Annunciation, lower left, Adam and Eve being expelled from Eden, top right, the crucifixion, and lower right, what is described in the record as the Lord’s Supper and the Kiss of Judas, though it’s tough to tell.]

[ghostlywriterr]

Vatican museums, Italy.

(via antoinebn)

[bebs-art-gallery]

The Cappella Sansevero, Naples, Italy ♡

[kaalbela]

Dick pics from Renaissance by Imdad Barbhuyan

[enjoyedbygod]

Nude in the hammock (1892). Life Size Carrara Marble, Antonio Frilli.

Antonio Frilli (?) - 1902 ). He was a Florentine sculptor specializing in marble and alabaster statues. Two years after the sculptor's death, his son Umberto, brought this work to the United States to the Louisiana Trade Fair, where the piece won the Exhibition's Grand Prix and six gold medals.