Incense Burner

c. 1560/1580

Possibly Paduan or Venetian 16th Century

Attributed to

The sculpture features a figure sitting atop a highly decorated base. The figure is a male with horns and cloven feet, with a muscular torso. He is nude except for a leaf covering his groin, and he holds a pan flute. He looks up and to the left, with an open mouth. Below the seated figure, the base of the sculpture is adorned with intricate patterns and reliefs, including winged figures, human faces, shells, animals, and cherubs. The sculpture is on a base supported by crouching figures. The sculpture is made of dark metal, giving it a monochromatic appearance with a metallic sheen.

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G19

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Widener Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 51.4 x 26 cm (20 1/4 x 10 1/4 in.)
    overall (diameter of base): 18.7 cm (7 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1942.9.139

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Elia Volpi [1858-1938], Davanzati Palace, Florence; (his sale, American Art Association, New York, 21-25 and 27-28 November 1916, 1st day, no. 85); purchased by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris) for Joseph E. Widener; inheritance from Estate of Peter A.B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, after purchase by funds of the Estate; gift 1942 to NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1985

  • Natur und Antike in der Renaissance, Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus, Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany, 1985-1986, no. 229.

Bibliography

1942

  • Works of Art from the Widener Collection. Foreword by David Finley and John Walker. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1942: 9, as by Riccio.

1993

  • Ferrazza, Roberta. Palazzo Davanzati e le collezioni di Elia Volpi. Florence, 1993: 164 fig. 152, 166, 215 n. 49.

1994

  • Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: 236, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63810057

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