Venice, 15th-16th century
marble - height: 36.5cm each
This expressive pair of lions once functioned as an architectural ornament. Their compacted shape and square base indicate they were set against the exterior of a facade. In addition, the circular cavities on the inner sides of the animals demonstrate the sculptures were attached to this point. The fact that there are two suggests that they once framed a window or entrance. Lions often framed porticos of grand Venetian architectural structures – religious and secular - functioning as guardian beasts.[1]
Lions fascinated Venetians, who kept them in Ducal menageries, and as a consequence are depicted in all Venetian art forms, including in the 15th century drawings by Jacobo Bellini.[2] Perhaps the most famous examples in Venice are the winged lions adorning the Piazza San Marco; with their paws resting on Saint Mark’s gospel embodying Venice’s patron Saint, Mark the Evangelist. Subsequently, the Venetian lion, winged or an sich, carries symbolism and reminds us of the evangelist’s importance in the city.
Although these lions were incorporated into a grander structure, they are finely sculpted, showing beautifully waving manes, crisp facial features, and vertebrae depicted along the spine. A number of similar marble lions are still seen on Venetian houses facing one of the many canals. The lion sculptures set on the balcony of the 15th century Ca' D'oro palace in Venice are strikingly similar; the size, material, and growling expression is much alike the present duo. Whilst only being 36.5cm tall, these lions come across as mighty creatures and strongly resonate Venetian identity.
PROVENANCE
Collection Diego Gomiero, Italy
RELATED LITERATURE
Rosand, David. Myths of Venice: The Figuration of a State. University of North Carolina Press, 2005.
Ruskin, John. The Stones of Venice: The Foundations. J. Wiley, 1851.
Wills, Garry. "The Lions of Venice." in The American Scholar , Vol.68, No. 2 (1999): pp.45-49.
Grasman, Edward. "A Salute to You: Expansion under the Wings of Saint Mark." in Artibus Et Historiae, Vol.33, No.66 (2012): pp.121-31.
[1] John Ruskin, The Stones of Venice: The Foundations, (J. Wiley:1851), p.241-242 and David Rosand. Myths of Venice: The Figuration of a State, (Univ of North Carolina Press, 2005), p.74
[2] Rosand, p.74
Venice, 15th-16th century
marble - height: 36.5cm each
This expressive pair of lions once functioned as an architectural ornament. Their compacted shape and square base indicate they were set against the exterior of a facade. In addition, the circular cavities on the inner sides of the animals demonstrate the sculptures were attached to this point. The fact that there are two suggests that they once framed a window or entrance. Lions often framed porticos of grand Venetian architectural structures – religious and secular - functioning as guardian beasts.[1]
Lions fascinated Venetians, who kept them in Ducal menageries, and as a consequence are depicted in all Venetian art forms, including in the 15th century drawings by Jacobo Bellini.[2] Perhaps the most famous examples in Venice are the winged lions adorning the Piazza San Marco; with their paws resting on Saint Mark’s gospel embodying Venice’s patron Saint, Mark the Evangelist. Subsequently, the Venetian lion, winged or an sich, carries symbolism and reminds us of the evangelist’s importance in the city.
Although these lions were incorporated into a grander structure, they are finely sculpted, showing beautifully waving manes, crisp facial features, and vertebrae depicted along the spine. A number of similar marble lions are still seen on Venetian houses facing one of the many canals. The lion sculptures set on the balcony of the 15th century Ca' D'oro palace in Venice are strikingly similar; the size, material, and growling expression is much alike the present duo. Whilst only being 36.5cm tall, these lions come across as mighty creatures and strongly resonate Venetian identity.
PROVENANCE
Collection Diego Gomiero, Italy
RELATED LITERATURE
Rosand, David. Myths of Venice: The Figuration of a State. University of North Carolina Press, 2005.
Ruskin, John. The Stones of Venice: The Foundations. J. Wiley, 1851.
Wills, Garry. "The Lions of Venice." in The American Scholar , Vol.68, No. 2 (1999): pp.45-49.
Grasman, Edward. "A Salute to You: Expansion under the Wings of Saint Mark." in Artibus Et Historiae, Vol.33, No.66 (2012): pp.121-31.
[1] John Ruskin, The Stones of Venice: The Foundations, (J. Wiley:1851), p.241-242 and David Rosand. Myths of Venice: The Figuration of a State, (Univ of North Carolina Press, 2005), p.74
[2] Rosand, p.74
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