Florence, first quarter of the 19th century, possibly workshop of Lorenzo Bartolini (1777-1850)

European private collection;

Koller, Zurich, 26 March 2009, lot 1196.

Lorenzo Bartolini, one of the leading figures of Neoclassicism, produced numerous vases, urns, and tazzas at the beginning of his career, intended for Grand Tour travellers and demonstrating his thorough knowledge of classical models. Some of his compositions directly reproduce famous ancient models, such as the Borghese Vase (Musée du Louvre, inv. MR 985) or the Warwick Vase (The Burrell Collection, Glasgow, inv. 42.20); others are genuine Neoclassical interpretations combining both ancient and modern sources, particularly those of the Florentine Quattrocento, in a manner reminiscent of Piranesi’s engravings, which may also have served as a source of inspiration for the sculptor.

This freedom of interpretation allowed Bartolini to create an infinite variety of forms and decorative schemes, as demonstrated by the remarkable group preserved in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence, which notably includes two large alabaster vases depicting scenes from the story of Lucretia (OdA 1378-9). Also worthy of mention is an important group of nineteen models for vases, urns, and tazzas designed by Bartolini around 1816–1820 and preserved in Prato, at the Museo Civico, Lascito Pianetti (inv. 1021 to inv. 1037 and inv. 1050 to inv. 1051; cf. F. Falletti, S. Bietoletti, A. Caputo, op. cit., pp. 196–199).

By virtue of its imposing scale, its narrative decoration inspired by ancient history, its style, and the combination of alabaster and marble elements, the present urn may be compared with related examples produced in Bartolini’s flourishing Florentine workshop.

RELATED LITERATURE

Lorenzo Bartolini, exh. cat., Palazzo Pretorio, Prato, February-May 1978, pp. 199, 200 and 287; F. Falletti, S. Bietoletti, A. Caputo, Lorenzo Bartolini, scultore del bello naturale, exh. cat., Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence, 2011, pp. 196-199; A. Caputo, S. Melloni Franceschini, Lorenzo Bartolini. Nuove prospettive fra Carrara e Firenze, Pisa, 2016, pp. 98-99.