Italian school, XVII century.

Italian school, XVII century.
"Putto or cherub".
Carrara marble.
Antique green marble pedestal.
Measurements: 20 x 10 x 18 cm; 14 x 12 x 14 x 14 cm (base).

Head carved in Carrara marble, of great quality. It belonged to an Italian sculpture of baroque school. It probably represented a Greek Eros or Roman Cupids, although it could also represent a putto or cherub. The chubby face and pronounced chin give the countenance a mischievous character, which contributes to the kinky hair, formed by abundant tight curls, forming a small toupee on the forehead. It could also have belonged to an architectural ensemble.

Carrara marble, from the quarries of the Apuan Alps in Italy, has been one of the most appreciated stones for sculpture since Antiquity and especially during the Baroque period. Its use in this period was crucial for some of the most famous sculptors, such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who worked extensively with this material in masterpieces such as the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. This type of marble is known for its purity, fine grain, and bright white color with gray veins, making it ideal for carving intricate details. During the Baroque, artists sought to depict movement, theatricality and emotion, and Carrara marble offered them the flexibility to sculpt figures with great dynamism and intricate detail, such as folds of clothing, facial expressions and textures. The translucency of Carrara marble was also a valuable attribute. It allowed light to penetrate the stone slightly, creating a sense of softness, which was perfect for the dramatic effects sought in Baroque sculptures, which often depicted religious themes, mysticism and intense emotions.