Johan Gregor van der SchardtNetherlandish, 1530–1581Dawn
About the sculpture
This small terracotta statuette has a companion that represents Night (inv. no. A.6-1938). They are both copies after two of the four marble statues representing the Times of the Day that Michelangelo carved for the Medici chapel in the church of San Lorenzo in Florence. He carved the marbles between 1524 and 1534. Both Dawn and Night are represented by reclining female figures. Night is identified by the mask under her left shoulder and the owl that peers out from under her raised left leg. The marble originals were paired with reclining male figures, representing Dusk and Day respectively. Since about 1900, opinions have been divided on whether the terracottas are originals by Michelangelo or 16th-century copies after Michelangelo's marble statues. The statues of the Medici chapel were among the most influential sculptural works of the Renaissance and were widely copied.
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In 1984, however, it was convincingly argued that the terracottas were made by the Netherlandish artist Johan Gregor van der Schardt. Although copied after Michelangelo's marble statues, the two models show Schardt's style. The elongated neck, undulating hair and high-set breasts of Night are typical of his modelling.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- A.5-1938
