Italian, Venice, first half 16th century

Overall the condition of the marble is good. There is dirt and some wear consistent with age. There are remnants of paint around the truncation and in the hair at the back of the neck. There is a further stain to the side of Medusa's mouth and at her temple on the proper right side. There is some naturally occurring variegation and veining visible on the surface of the marble including along the left side of the face and in the neck. There are chips to the truncation and to the shoulder of the proper left wing and some further minor nicks and scratches. The head does not appear to be a fragment as it is rounded at the truncation. There is wear to the paint on the base and there are several dents around the lower edge. Wax has splashed over the foot.
"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 intriguing marble head displays the classical idealism which was current in Venetian art around 1500. The upward gaze, rounded features and the attention to detail all relate to the work of the Lombardo brothers and their contemporaries.

It is unconventional for Minerva to wear the head of Medusa as a helmet; the myth states that once Medusa's head left her winged shoulders, it was mounted on the goddess' goat-skin robe. As such the Gorgon's head normally appears on Minerva's torso.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Luchs, Tullio Lombardo and Venetian High Renaissance sculpture, exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington/ New Haven/ London, 2009; P. Monaghan, Encyclopedia of goddesses and heroines, Santa Barbara, 2010, p. 420