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Visit
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Must-Sees at the National Gallery

Make the most of your visit
Learn more
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Oil Lamp in the Form of a Female Sphinx

first quarter 16th century

Anonymous Artist

Associated Names

Anonymous Artist

Artist

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio

Related Artist, Paduan, 1470 - 1532

The sculpture depicts a creature that combines features of a human and an animal. It has the head of a person with stylized hair resembling ram horns, a human-like face with prominent cheeks, and a body resembling a seated animal adorned with decorative elements resembling wings or scrolls on its sides. The sculpture is crafted from a dark material, possibly bronze, with an aged patina giving it a deep brown or black appearance with hints of golden highlights on its edges. The sculpture is small in scale and sits on a uniform base.

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Artwork overview

Medium

bronze
Credit Line

Gift of Robert H. Smith/Robert H. Smith Collection
Dimensions

overall: 12.5 x 14.5 cm (4 15/16 x 5 11/16 in.)
Accession Number

2022.181.57

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

2007

Cristanetti, Simona, et al. Recent Acquisitions Made to the Robert H. Smith Collection of Renaissance Bronzes. London, 2007: 15-19, 60, repro. no. 57.