Workshop of Pietro Torrigiani (1472-1528) Italian, Florence, early 16th century

Sotheby’s New York, 17 October 2000, lot 11;
with Bruno Cooper, United Kingdom, February 2002;
European private collection

There is a large loss to the back of the head on the left side. There is another loss below the neck at the front. There are fissures running across the right side of the head from the back through to the proper right corner of the mouth, across the top of the head and down through the hair to the proper left corner of the mouth (some of these fissures may be restored breaks). These fissures are also visible to the interior. There is a small fissure at the bridge of the nose. There is a possibly restored break at the hair at the back low down on the right side (shoulder). There are some losses to the hair, particularly at the back on the proper right side. There are some small losses to the beard, in particular to the proper left lock of the forked terminal. The surface is covered in a dark red slip, which has flaked in places, particularly at the back of the head and at the proper left side of the hair. There also appears to be remnants of cream/ white polychromy to the face and neck. Seen from the interior the terracotta has a different colour at the back of the head and at the sides of the shoulders (than to the face etc); this may suggest that these are later additions/ restorations. Otherwise the condition is stable with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age.
"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 beautiful terracotta bust of Christ is ultimately derived from Andrea del Verrocchio's celebrated figure of the Redeemer from his Christ and St. Thomas bronze group on the exterior wall of Orsanmichele in Florence. It is particularly close to the bust of Christ from Santa Trinita, Florence, attributed to Pietro Torrigiani (1472-1528) (Boucher, op. cit., no. 22). Note the same side-glancing eyes, the slightly parted lips and stylised hair. There is also a comparison with Agnolo di Polo's (1470- after 1498) St. Rochfrom the church of the Santissima Annunziata, Arezzo.

RELATED LITERATURE
B. Boucher (ed.), Earth and Fire. Italian Terracotta Sculpture from Donatello to Canova, exh. cat. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2001, pp. 150-151, no. 22

A thermoluminescence test from Oxford Authentication ( no. N100w1) indicates that the terracotta was last fired between 400 and 700 years ago.