A Blessed Soul
Peut-on la voir ?
Oui, exposée actuellement
Où est « A Blessed Soul » aujourd’hui ? Victoria and Albert Museum, Europe 1600-1815, Room 7, The Sheikha Amna Bint Mohammed Al Thani Gallery, Londres. Oui, exposée actuellement. Vérifié 12 octobre 2026.
Londres, Royaume-Uni
SalleEurope 1600-1815, Room 7, The Sheikha Amna Bint Mohammed Al Thani Gallery
Fermé· ouvre demain à 10:00
Présentée au public.
- Vérifié
- Dans cet état depuis
- Source
- Le musée
À propos de la sculpture
This wax is one of a pair, which may have been part of a larger group. Similar objects in the collection (A.19, 20, 21, 22-1982) also represent souls in Paradise, Purgatory and Hell. These highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux served as ‘memento mori’, intended to inspire thoughts on mortality. Wax modelling had acquired a certain status by the sixteenth century, as it lends itself to the type of intricate workmanship on a small scale which can be seen in this object, and enhanced by the use of colour and texture to mimic flesh.
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This wax is in the style of Gaetano Giulio Zumbo or Zummo (1656-1701), who was known for his expressiveness, as seen in this evocative image. Born in Syracuse to an impoverished aristocratic Sicilian family, the early life and training of Zumbo is shrouded in mystery. He spent time in Rome, Naples and Bologna, where his presence among circles of anatomists is recorded. In Bologna, he is thought to have been the first to propose using coloured wax for anatomical teaching models. From 1691 to 1695, he served Grand Duke Cosimo III and created his most famous teatrini (‘little theatres’), many of which were highly realistic and dramatic wax tableaux that served as ‘memento mori’ and intended to inspire thoughts on mortality (such as A.3-1966).
Victoria and Albert Museum
Notice
- Numéro d’inventaire
- A.65-1938
Ce qu’elle montre
Au catalogue
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image : Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
