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Bust of a bacchante

1820–38
Not on view
In these cameos of devotees of Bacchus, Nicola Morelli, a shrewd judge of the coloristic capacities of hardstones, did not merely copy himself: In the gem on the left (40.20.44), with a goatskin and more complex tresses, he exploited four strata, the topmost being the pink of the grapes. In that on the right (40.20.45), in three layers, he investigated the uppermost layer of brown to define the grapevine against the pallid flesh of the girl, who seems even less in control of her senses.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bust of a bacchante
  • Artist: Nicola Morelli (Italian, 1771–1838)
  • Date: 1820–38
  • Culture: Italian, Rome
  • Medium: Onyx
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 1 15/16 x 1 1/2 in. (5 x 3.8 cm); 49.6 x 38.2 x 11.5 mm
  • Classification: Lapidary Work-Gems
  • Credit Line: The Milton Weil Collection, 1940
  • Object Number: 40.20.44
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Bust of a bacchante, Nicola Morelli Italian, Onyx, Italian, Rome
Bust of a bacchante
Nicola Morelli
1820–38
Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Antonio Canova Italian, Marble, Italian, Rome
Perseus with the Head of Medusa
Antonio Canova
Count Jan and Countess Valeria Tarnowski
1804–6
Reclining Naiad, Antonio Canova , and his studio Italian, Carrara marble, Italian, Rome
Reclining Naiad
Antonio Canova
John Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley
1819–24
Bust of a bearded man in a cap, Luigi Saulini Italian, Onyx, gold mount, Italian, Rome
Bust of a bearded man in a cap
Luigi Saulini
mid-19th century
Priam Supplicating Achilles for the Body of Hector, Giuseppe Girometti Italian, Onyx, gold, Italian, Rome
Priam Supplicating Achilles for the Body of Hector
Giuseppe Girometti
ca. 1815–25

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