Domenico Poggini (1520-1590) Italian, Florence, circa 1580

with Heim Gallery, London, 1972,
Private collection, England,
Private collection, France

London, Heim Gallery, Sculptures of the 15th & 16th centuries. Summer exhibition, 1972, no. 14

Sculptures of the 15th & 16th centuries, exhib cat. Heim Gallery, London, 1972, no. 14
K. Langedijk, 'Two Portrait Busts of a Child: Filippo de'Medici by Domenico Poggini', Mitteilungen des Kunsthistorisches Institutes in Florenz, 18, 1974, pp. 379-383, fig.2
K. Langedijk, The portraits of the Medici. 15th-18th centuries, Florence, 1983, vol. II, pp. 849-850

Overall the condition of the marble is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There are a few minor inclusions visible on the surface consistent with material, particularly in the drapery. A small stable hairline fissure runs horizontally along the drapery at the proper left side of the chest. The end of the collar on the proper right side is chipped and there are a few smaller chips to the edge of the collar and the edge of the truncation. There are a few chips to the edges of the base and one of the back corners was reattached.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This charming bust was first attributed to Domenico Poggini by Ulrich Middeldorf who identified the sitter as Garcia de Medici (1547-1562), son of Cosimo de Medici. Langedijk (op.cit.), however, convincingly reassigned its subject as Filippo de'Medici after comparing it with another bust of Filippo de'Medici in the Bargello. Filippo de Medici (1577-1582) was the son of Francesco I de Medici and Johanna of Austria, and was the heir to the Medici throne until his death, aged 5.

Domenico Poggini was a pupil of Benvenuto Cellini and worked as a goldsmith , bronze caster, medallist and marble sculptor. He established himself as one of the foremost Mannerist sculptors in Florence until Felice Peretti de Montalto was elected Pope Sixtus V and lured him to Rome in 1585.