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Fata Morgana
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Commissioned by prominent banker Bernardo Vecchietti, whose surname means “old,” <em>Fata Morgana</em> took the name both of the nearby spring that fed the fountain she surmounted, and the legendary fairy who restored King Arthur’s youth. The <em>Fata Morgana</em> is one of only around a dozen sculptures in marble by Giambologna. The artist’s favorite subject was the female nude because of its capacity to showcase his extraordinary ability to model softness in hard stone and to convey dynamic movement. Her twisting pose invites the viewer to appreciate the <em>Fata Morgana</em> from every angle.
| Artist / Maker | Giambologna |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1572 |
| Culture / Origin | Italy |
| Medium | Marble |
| Dimensions | Overall: 99 x 68 cm (39 x 26 3/4 in.) |
| Department | European Painting and Sculpture |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
Giambologna (1529-1608) was a Flemish sculptor based in Italy. His early training was in Antwerp under the architect-sculptor Jacques du Broeucq. In the 1550s, he studied sculptures of classical antiquity in Rome. He reached the height of his career while working as a court sculptor for the Medici Dukes in Florence, where he settled in 1553. celebrated for his Mannerist marble and bronze statuary, Giambologna was influenced by Michelangelo's works but developed his own style, characterized by a fine sense… Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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