Bronze
Late XNUMXth century
237x100 inch
A late 19th - early 20th century
Bronze door leaf
Origin:
John Anderson, Grosse Pointe Shores, USA, acquired in Florence around 1928.
Composed of three central panels whose main scene depicts the arrival of a man on horseback, wearing a helmet surmounted by an eagle; probably the arrival of a general or an emperor, and facing a naked young woman in the features of Botticelli's Venus, herself surrounded by other women and putti. In the field a ribbon on which is inscribed the motto “Omnia vincit amor” (lat. Love conquers all).
Framing this main scene above and below are two scenes depicting the goddess of love at sunrise and sunset.
On the last scene, a putto holding a ribbon on which is inscribed “Finis Coronat...CP” (from the lat. the end of crowns).
In the background, the crescent moon, and the sun which is dying in the horizon.
Under the first and last panel is the phrase “Est vita victoria non quiescit eundo” (lat. will there always be a victory?).
These representations accompanied by motto, symbolize the power of love and the doubts that it can lead to its duration.
They were very popular during the neoclassical period, where the artistic influences of the Renaissance and Antiquity were very present, accentuated by Latin quotations allowing introspection, even a warning for the spectator.
Around the panels, friezes of garlands, putti and masks in the style of Italian Renaissance productions, directly inspired by the Roman frescoes of Pompeii.
Very nice execution.
Composed of three central panels, the main scene of which shows the arrival of a horseman, wearing a helmet surmounted by an eagle; probably the arrival of a General or an emperor, and facing a young naked woman in the features of Botticelli's Venus, herself surrounded by other women and putti. In the field a ribbon on which is inscribed the motto “Omnia vincit amor“ (lat. Love conquers all).
Framing this main scene above and below, two scenes representing the goddess of love at sunrise and sunset. On the last scene, a putto holding a ribbon on which is inscribed “Finis Coronat... CP“ (of the lat. the end of the crowns).
In the background, the crescent moon, and the sun which is extinguished in the horizon.
Under the first and the last panel, is inscribed the sentence “Est vita Victoria non quiescit eundo“ (lat. Will there always be a victory?).
These representations accompanied by motto, symbolize the power of love and the doubts it can cause over its duration. Very appreciated during the neoclassical period, where the artistic influences of the Renaissance and the Antiquity are very present, accentuated by Latin quotations allowing an introspection, even a warning for the spectator. Around the panels, a frieze of garlands, putti and masks in the style of Italian Renaissance productions, directly inspired by Roman frescoes from Pompeii. Very beautiful execution
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