Arion Seated on a Shell

first quarter 16th century

Attributed to Severo da Ravenna

Associated Names
Severo da Ravenna

Sculptor, Paduan, active 1496 - 1525/1538

The sculpture depicts a bearded male figure seated on a large shell. The man holds a musical instrument in front of him, resembling a harp or lyre. The sculpture is crafted from dark bronze, giving it an antique and metallic finish. The figure is nude, with detailed hair and beard. The dimensions of the sculpture suggest it is small in size, suitable for display on a tabletop or shelf. The bronze texture enhances the naturalistic and classical feel of the piece.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 8.6 x 5.3 x 4.2 cm (3 3/8 x 2 1/16 x 1 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.19

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 with the entire Dreyfus collection by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and New York); sold 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Bronzes. Oxford, 1931: 18, no. 10, pl. 9.

1951

  • Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1951: 137, as Musician on a shell by Andrea Briosco Riccio.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 489.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 85, no. 46.

1994

  • Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: 216, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63809229

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