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Bust of Menander
(Renaissance Europe )
In ancient Rome, busts of famous men were displayed in public and private spaces as models of behavior, a custom that was revived by Renaissance scholars for the decoration of their libraries and studies. This extremely fine bust depicts the celebrated 4th-century BC Greek dramatist Menander. It shares the characteristics of the highly refined busts made by Alari-Bonacolsi including silver eyes following the ancient Roman fashion. Antico was one of the first artists to make bronze versions of Roman portrait busts, which are among the most eloquent examples of the Renaissance appreciation of the art and culture of classical antiquity.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1927 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2008-2009 | I tesori del collezionismo dei Gonzaga. Museo di Palazzo Ducale, Mantova. |
| 1978 | Antiquity in the Renaissance. Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 3/12/1975 | Treatment | cleaned; coated |
Geographies
Italy, Mantua (Place of Origin)
Measurements
26 x 17 x 11 in. (66.04 x 43.18 x 27.94 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1927
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
27.419