Orpheus confronted by Cerberus

ca. 1625-1650 · Statuette · 10 × 10 cm

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Derzeit nicht ausgestellt

Wo ist „Orpheus confronted by Cerberus“ heute? Sammlung: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Derzeit nicht ausgestellt. Geprüft 25. September 2026.

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, Vereinigtes Königreich

Es gehört zur Sammlung, ist derzeit aber nicht ausgestellt.

Geprüft: vor 14 Tagen
Unverändert seit: 25. Sept. 2026
Quelle: Das Museum

Auf der Karte Museumsseite

Über die Skulptur

This bronze statuette, representing the story of Orpheus, is made by the workshop of Francesoco Fanelli, in the 17th century.

According to Roman mythology Orpheus, the legendary poet famous for his lyre playing, persuaded Pluto to allow him to bring his dead wife back from the underworld on condition that he did not look back until they had returned. Finally, he glanced back and she disappeared for ever. The three-headed dog, Cerberus, guards the entrance to the underworld.

Franceso Fanelli (1577- ca. 1641) was first documented in Genoa in 1608, where, until about 1631, he produced religious works in marble, silver, ivory and bronze. By 1635, he was working at the English court. Although he described himself 'sculptor to the King of Great Britain', it is unclear whether this title was officially conferred. The V&A owns versions of several small bronzes by 'ffrancisco the one-eyed Italian' listed in an inventory of Whitehall Palace in 1639. George Vertue stated that Fanelli 'lv'd and dyd in England'; he is last documented in 1641 and believed to have died soon after.

Victoria and Albert Museum