Attributed to Giovanni Giuliani (1663-1744)

These charming putti have convincingly been attributed to the Italian-born Giovanni Giuliani, who rose to prominence as one of the most important Baroque sculptors in Vienna. His patrons included Prince Eugene of Savoy and the Prince of Liechtenstein.

While no comparable small putti in marble are known from Giuliani's oeuvre, the present pair are closely analogous in style to a number of terracotta amorini by the sculptor, dating from 1739. Like the terracottas, the present marbles show one putto with fully carved and drilled facial features, while the other's mouth and nose are left without orifices. It appears that this artistic idiosyncrasy was unique to Giuliani.

RELATED LITERATURE

J. Kraftner and L. A. Ronzoni, Giovanni Giuliani (1664-1744), exh. cat. Liechtenstein Museum, Vienna, 2005, pp. 108-111, figs. 54-60