Giovanni Battista Lombardi

This alluring bust is notable for the fine carving required to render the near-transparent veil. Such technique was a part of a broader artistic tradition, originating in 18th century Italy, with the sculptor Antonio Corradini (1688 – 1752) pioneering this style.

In the 19th century, the followers of the Romantic realism school, such as Raffaelle Monti (1818 - 1881), Cesare Lapini (1848 – 1893) and Lombardi himself, all produced their own variations of the veiled woman or donne velate. An almost identical version, also by Lombardi, can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number: 1984.463).

Giovanni Battista Lombardi began his study in his hometown of Rezzatto before relocating to Rome, where he joined the studio of Pietro Tenerani. Lombardi eventually started his own studio, specializing in Romantic-era subjects, such as full-length statues of female biblical figures and the present bust.