A pair of vases shaped like men's faces, from the 19th century

A pair of statuettes in the shape of men's faces, from the 19th century.
Plaster.
Large format.
Measurements: 31 x 43 x 21 cm and 32 x 45 x 25 cm.

The pair of male faces now up for auction fully embody the tradition of academic art, in which mastery of drawing and knowledge of anatomy formed the foundation of artistic training. The purity of their proportions, the idealization of their features, and the sober, balanced modeling reflect the canons of classical sculpture, which for centuries served as the primary model for fine arts academies. Conceived as study models for learning portraiture and the human figure, they stand out for the quality of their execution and their close connection to traditional art education, which gives them special historical and decorative value.