Giovanni Pratesi: The Florentine Eye
Giovanni Pratesi: The Florentine Eye
Italian, 17th/ 18th century
A group of fifteen supports in the form of tree trunks
Auction Closed
March 22, 07:15 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 EUR
Lot Details
Description
Italian, 17th/ 18th century
A group of fifteen supports in the form of tree trunks
marble
the smallest: 40cm., 15¾in.
the largest: 65cm., 25½in.
This group of carved marble tree-trunks were designed to furnish the architectural decoration of a garden or grotto. They belong to a long-standing tradition of naturalistic design that originated among the orbit of Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680). It was this great Baroque sculptor who, in 1618, conceived and executed the carved wood pedestal of his marble Saint Lawrence as a tree trunk in flames burning the flesh of the martyr above, giving shape to the prototype of the naturalistic Roman console in International Baroque furniture.
RELATED LITERATURE
A. González-Palacios, Il tempio del gusto, Milano 1986, vol. II, pp. 87, 88 and 92
This lot has been imported under a temporary artistic importation license. Please refer to the specialist department for further information about export procedures and shipping costs.
This lot is on view in Florence. Please refer to the specialist department to book an appointment.