Pope Liberius Baptizing the Neophytes, Alessandro Algardi, 1647–49
Alessandro Algardi, portrætAlessandro AlgardiItalien, 1595–1654

Pope Liberius Baptizing the Neophytes

1647–49 · Sculpture · 54.61 × 91.44 cm

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Om skulpturen

This terra-cotta relief is the only known study in clay for a sculpture decorating the marble fountain of Saint Damasus in the Vatican. The fountain was erected in the 17th century by Pope Innocent X to mark his restoration of aqueducts built for Pope Damasus in the 4th century. The relief shows Damasus’ predecessor, Liberius, baptizing new converts to Christianity. Damasus stands behind him, lifting his mantle.

The easily worked medium of clay allowed Algardi to experiment and refine his ideas before carving the relief in marble. By sculpting the foreground figures almost fully in the round and those more distant in ever shallower relief, he achieved an illusion of depth and volume. Over time, weather and abrasive cleaning have taken a toll on the marble version, but the clay model remains evidence of the artist’s intent.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Oplysninger

Inventarnummer
59.17

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Imens i livet hos Alessandro Algardi

Hele livet
  1. 1625–1654 · Virkested

    Rome

  2. 1650

    Meets Velázquez; commissions from Spain

    He meets Diego Velázquez, who obtains commissions for his work from Spain: four chimney-pieces and the figures of the fountain of Neptune in the gardens of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, and the tomb of the Count and Countess de Monterey in the Augustinian monastery at Salamanca.

  3. in later years

    A large studio, a fortune and pupils

    In his later years he controls a large studio and amasses a great fortune. His classicizing manner is carried on by pupils such as Ercole Ferrata and Domenico Guidi, and Antonio Raggi initially trained with him (other accounts say all three then moved to Bernini); lesser-known assistants in his studio include Francesco Barrata, Girolamo Lucenti and Giuseppe Peroni.

Alle værker

I samme sal · G313, Minneapolis Institute of Art

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