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 provided by Raffaele Soprani (painter and art historian) in Vite de' pittori, scultori, ed architetti genovesi [Lives of Genoese Painters, Sculptors, and Architects]. Revised, enlarged, and enriched with notes by Carlo Giuseppe Ratti painter, Volume Two, 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 did no less well than he had done in Painting” (p. 222). Upon his father's death, he inherited the prestigious workshop, and one of his disciples, Francesco Biggi, “This Biggi had a lot of skill, and grace in working marble: and our Domenico trusted so much in his expertise; that, given the model, he would leave him free to execute the statue.” (p. 230). In our sculpture, the god, as well as an allegorical figure of autumn, is depicted as a youth with an androgynous beauty; the naked body is wrapped in a soft cloak; the hair is adorned with flowers, and a bunch of grapes surrounds the face, on which a slight smile is hinted. The unpublished work is accompanied by an attribution card from Prof. Daniele Sanguineti, who defines it as an important piece in the catalogue of statuary designed by Domenico Parodi and created by Francesco Biggi. Dimensions: height 52 cm