The Sculptures

Bronze and Boxwood:
Masterpieces from the Robert H. Smith Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
January 27, 2008 - May 4, 2008

"We are very fortunate to have an important collector such as Robert H. Smith make his outstanding sculptures available to Gallery visitors," said Earl A. Powell III, director, National Gallery of Art (NGA). "Over the years, not only has Smith donated major works to our collection, but he has also provided vital leadership in his former role as Gallery president."

The NGA's Bronze and Boxwood exhibition honors Robert H. Smith while providing an opportunity to view some incredible Italian sculptures. The artists are a who's who in bronze sculpture with pieces from Giovanni Francesco Susini, Severo da Ravenna, Tiziano Aspetti, Andrea Briosco called Riccio and Francesco Fanelli on view. The collection branches out past Renaissance artists with the inclusion of German Baroque sculptor Leonhard Kern.

Giovanni Francesco Susini

Title: David with the Head of Goliath, c. 1625 - 1630
Artist: Giovanni Francesco Susini (Italian 1585 - c. 1653)
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 29.9 x 16.5 x 17.4 cm (11 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 6 7/8)
Robert H. Smith Collection
Image Courtesy: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Antonio Susini was an assistant to the brilliant sculptor Giambologna. Susini's nephew, Giovanni Francesco Susini, studied in his uncle's foundry eventually taking it over following Antonio's death. Among Giovanni Francesco Susini's wealthy patrons were the Medici family.

Severo da Ravenna

Rearing Horse by Severo da Ravenna (active 1496 - 1525/1538)
Title: Rearing Horse, c. 1500/1510
Artist: Severo da Ravenna (Italian active 1496 - 1525/1538)
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 20 x 24 cm (7 7/8 x 9 7/16); on ebony pedestal: 28.8 x 24.3 x 12.8 cm (11 5/16 x 9 9/16 x 5)
Robert H. Smith Collection
Image Courtesy: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Severo da Ravenna wasn't known for signing his work, making attribution difficult. He preferred to work with small scale bronzes.

Tiziano Aspetti

Sculpture was in Tiziano Aspetti's blood. His family owned a foundry in Padua, where naturally his studies began. Most of his works were commissioned by Giovanni Grimani, a church official who was known for his patronage of the arts. There are many Aspetti public pieces in Venice, Tuscany and Padua

Title: Apollo with his Lyre (Apollo Musagetes), c. 1595
Artist: Tiziano Aspetti (Italian 1557/1559 - 1606)
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: height with integral base: 33.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 cm (13 3/16 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2)
Robert H. Smith Collection
Image Courtesy: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Andrea Briosco called Riccio

Title: Oil Lamp in the Form of a Female Sphinx, first quarter of the sixteenth century
Artist: Follower of Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (Italian 1470 - 1532).
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 12.5 x 14.5 cm (4 15/16 x 5 11/16)
Robert H. Smith Collection
Image Courtesy: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Andrea Briosco began an apprenticeship with his father as a goldsmith but turned his talents to sculpture. He learned this craft from Bartolommeo Bellano, who was believed to have worked in Donatello's studio. Briosco was called Riccio, which translates to 'curly head'. His most famous work is a 13-ft high (4 m) candlestick found in the Santo (S. Antonio) at Padua. The bronze contains relief scenes of satyrs and sphinxes. He brought a vivacity to his smaller pieces that was never quite matched, along with delicacy of the surface materials.

Francesco Fanelli

Saint George and the Dragon by Francesco Fanelli
Title: Saint George and the Dragon, c. 1632-1639
Artist: Francesco Fanelli (Italian active 1608/1665)
Medium: Brass
Dimensions: 19.6 cm (7 11/16)
Robert H. Smith Collection
Image Courtesy: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Leonhard Kern

Diana with Her Hounds by Leonhard Kern (1588 - 1662)
Title: Diana with Her Hounds, Seventeenth Century
Artist: Leonhard Kern (German 1588 - 1662)
Medium: Ivory
Dimensions: 22.9 cm (9)
Robert H. Smith Collection
Image Courtesy: National Gallery of Art, Washington

Leonhard Kern studied in Italy and it had a profound affect on his oeuvre. The works of Giovanni Bologna were a strong influence on the German boxwood master craftsman.

Renaissance artists were among the finest the world has ever known. An opportunity to view some of these exquisite bronze and boxwood pieces should be seized.

Bronze and Boxwood:
Masterpieces from the Robert H. Smith Collection
National Gallery of Art, DC:
January 27, 2008 - May 4, 2008

National Gallery of Art, DC

www.nga.gov