Workshop of Severo da Ravenna (fl. 1496-1543) After a drawing by Rosso Fiorentino (1494-1540) Italian, Padua, circa 1530

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with dirt and some minor wear to the surface consistent with age including dirt in the crevices. There are remnants of a dark lacquer patina in the crevices. There are a few small areas of greening around the legs and back. There are a few minor lacunae to the surface. The fingers of the proper left hand were lost; an attribute is missing from the right. There is an original circular hole to the bottom of the figure. She was mounted to the base with glue. The condition of the painted wood base is good with some losses to the edges. The two sections of the base were made separately; the joint is slightly visible.
"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."

The present model, also called 'Atalanta', was formerly attributed to Maffeo Olivieri based on a comparison with a pair of candlesticks presented to the Basilica of San Marco, Venice in 1527 which incorporates similarly contorted and running figures.

However, Weihrauch (op. cit.) noted that 'Thetis' is more closely related to an engraving by Gian Giacomo Caraglio depicting Thetis in a niche, dating from after his arrival in Venice in 1526/7 and made after a drawing by Rosso Fiorentino who was also in Venice as the guest of Pietro Aretino in 1530. In this drawing, the goddess upholds an upturned urn pouring water as she flees from her suitors, Neptune and Jupiter.

Scholars have subsequently firmly attributed this and related statuettes to Severo Calzetta da Ravenna and his workshop. Severo was active in Padua from 1496 to 1525 and produced small figures and objects in bronze for his humanist patrons.

Another bronze version of the model is in the Hermitage, St Petersburg (Krahn, op. cit., no. 21) and examples were sold at Sotheby's New York on 28 November 1980 and 29 January 2010, lot 402.

RELATED LITERATURE

H. Weihrauch, Europäische Bronzestatuetten, Brunswick, 1967, pp. 133-135; V. Krahn, Bronzetti Veneziani. Die venezianischen Kleinbronzen der Renaissance aus dem Bode-Museum Berlin, Berlin, 2003, pp. 94-94, no. 21