Attributed to Adamo Tadolini (1788-1868) Italian, circa 1829

Acquired from heirs of the Tadolini family, circa 1980.

Overall the condition of the plaster is good, with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The work is a sketch and therefore roughly modelled. However, there appear to be minor losses, or rubbing, to some of the faces, including the angel on the right and the seated figures at the base and their high points, including drapery, hands, and the baby's head. There are several small chips and scratches, in particular around the edges. There are also a few minor chips to the high points of the figure at the top. There are a few lacunae, consistent with the material. There is particular dirt in the crevices. There is a label to the reverse inscribed: Adamo Tadolini / Bozzetto per il Monumento / Demidoff a Firenze (vedi / ricordi di Adamo) [signed: S?F? A]
"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."

In 1829 Adamo Tadolini had begun designs for a funerary monument to one of his most important patrons, Count Nikolai Nikitich Demidov, to be erected in St Petersburg. The project was, however, subsequently abandoned after the untimely death of its chief sponsor, Count Paul Demidov (Hufschmidt, op. cit., pp. 28, 31). In his list of works by the sculptor, Guilio Tadolini, Adamo's grandson, recorded a 'Bozzetto in tuttorilievo del grandioso monumento pel conte Paolo Demidoff', which has been identified with a sketch in the Tadolini studio (Tadolini, op. cit., p. 254; Hufschmidt, op. cit., pp. 28). The present stucco appears to be a second bozzetto for the monument.

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Tadolini, ed., Ricordi autobiografici di Adamo Tadolini, scultore, vissuto dal 1788 al 1868, Rome, 1900, pp. 180-182, 254; T. F. Hufschmidt, Tadolini. Adamo. Scipione. Giulio. Enrico. Quattro generazioni di scultori a Roma nei secoli XIX e XX, Rome, 1996, op. cit., pp. 28, 31