Head of David after Michelangelo
$228,500.00
Carrara marble
This monumental marble head represents one of the most recognizable faces in Western art, capturing the contemplative expression and heroic spirit of Michelangelo's legendary David. Executed with extraordinary precision, this full-scale reproduction allows one to experience the genius of Renaissance sculpture in intimate proximity, bringing the power and presence of Florence's most celebrated masterpiece to life.
The masterful carving demonstrates exceptional technical skill in its faithful translation of David's iconic features. Each meticulously rendered curl cascades with naturalistic movement, while the penetrating gaze conveys the biblical hero's focused determination before his encounter with Goliath. The sculptor has captured the subtle modeling of the cheekbones, the firm set of the jaw and the concentrated furrow of the brow that epitomize Renaissance ideals of masculine beauty and heroism.
Following the 1847 commission by the Grand Duke of Tuscany for master bronze founder Clemente Papi to create exact plaster casts of Michelangelo's David, numerous reproductions emerged from Florentine workshops with direct access to these authoritative models. The Filli Gallery workshops, who almost certainly created ours in the late 19th century, was renowned for their mastery of Renaissance carving techniques. They produced, and still produce, some of the finest marble reproductions during the late 19th century. These artisans possessed both the technical expertise and intimate knowledge of classical proportions necessary to translate Michelangelo's vision into stone with exacting precision. Today, reproductions made from the original plaster casts are held by major institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.
Late 19th century
44" high x 36" wide x 27" deep (111.76 x 91.44 x 68.58 cm)
Provenance:
Made in Florentine Workshop
Private collection, United States
Private collection, Brussels
MSR, New Orleans