A white Carrara marble bust on a white marble socle.

The bust is signed “Grangé Colombo” and sculpted by the Italian sculptor Ambrogio Colombo (1821-1891), who was a pupil at the Brera Academy in Milan and then specialised in busts with allegorical or didactic themes, such as Fior di Maria, Semplicita and Modestia (1872).  He also executed funerary sculpture and numerous busts of the Lombardy bourgeoisie.  Several bronze sculptures have been seen at auction including one at Sotheby’s entitled Grande Dame Patricienne Florentine au XVI e Siècle. As far as we can tell this is the only marble bust that has come onto the market  in recent years and displays a mastery in the treatment of detail particularly relating to the sitter’s plaited hair, headscarf and shawl.

Signed: Grangé Colombo

Height: 24.5 ins (62 cm)

Condition: In excellent condition with no restoration and supported on a white waisted socle.  A very fine work.

References:

Alfonso Panzetta:  Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’Ottocento e del Primo Novecento [Adarte 2003]p 94, Plates 248, 249

Vincenzo Vicario: Gli Scultori Italiani [1994]p 339