ROMAN SCULPTOR, HALF OF 17th CENTURY
Moses
two-tone patinated bronze, cm. 60 h
The bronze sculpture is a replica of the famous marble Moses statue, which the artist Michelangelo Buonarroti created for the tomb of Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, now housed in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, in Rome – the pose, the presence of the Tablets of the Law, and the impressive beard are all distinctive features o Michelangelo’s masterpieces.
The attention to detail is remarkable in our sculpture, particularly in the rendering of the beard and hair, carefully crafted to evoke the sense of volume and naturalism, while the meticulously treated folds of the garments enhance the sense of movement and drama.
As a bronze small-scaled replica, this sculpture was likely conceived as a collectible object, either a decorative piece for a private setting or a model for artistic practice. The wooden base, decorated in faux marble with yellow and ochre shades, enriches the quality of the piece, creating a striking contrast with the dark bronze.
In this work the maker, likely a 17th-century Roman sculptor, has captured the essence of Michelangelo’s figure, adapting it to the medium of bronze while infusing it with their personal originality.
