Pope Pius VI on Horseback
This equestrian sculpture depicts Pope Pius VI (1717–1799) on horseback, with his arm raised in blessing. The composition of the work recalls the long tradition of Italian public sculpture in which prominent figures were often depicted on horseback in heroic poses. The sculpture is remarkable for its level of detail, as earthenware is a difficult medium in which to execute precise motifs and expressions. It appears that relatively few examples of this portrait of Pius VI were produced, perhaps due to the challenges of sculpting in earthenware.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pope Pius VI on Horseback
- Artist: Antonio and Lorenzo Cialli
- Date: ca. 1784
- Culture: Italian, Rome
- Medium: White glazed earthenware
- Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 18 1/8 × 11 × 6 5/8 in. (46 × 27.9 × 16.8 cm);
Equestrian figure only (confirmed): 13 3/4 × 11 × 5 5/8 in. (34.9 × 27.9 × 14.3 cm);
Stand (confirmed): 4 3/8 × 7 × 6 5/8 in. (11.1 × 17.8 × 16.8 cm) - Classification: Ceramics-Pottery
- Credit Line: Purchase, The Isak and Rose Weinman Foundation Inc. Gift, 2016
- Object Number: 2016.462a, b
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Italian, Naples 1598–1680 Rome)
ca. 1616–17
Pietro Bernini (Italian, 1562–1629)
1616–17
Giuliano Finelli (Italian, Carrara 1601–1653 Rome)
1631–32
Probably cast by Johann Jakob Kornmann (called Cormano) (born Augsburg 1620, active Rome, died after 1672)
ca. 1632
After a model by Alessandro Algardi (Italian, Bologna 1598–1654 Rome)
second half of the 17th century
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