Antonio PANDIANI (1838-1928) ‘Menestrello’ Exceptional Patinated bronze. Italy, late 19th century.

Antonio PANDIANI (1838-1928)

'Menestrello'

Exceptional bronze proof with brown patina.

Dimensions: Height 72cm x Width 47cm x Depth 30cm.

Very good condition. Very beautiful patina and cast iron of exceptional quality.

Provenance: Private collection, France.

Condition report: Excellent state of preservation. Cleaning carried out by a professional restorer. Beautiful original patina. The dismantling and reassembly carried out by the restorer for cleaning does not reveal any inscription or mark.

NB: Complete analysis file available on request.

Exhibition of the work: 1877, Naples, Menestrello and Diavoletto, marble group.

History of the work: A series of castings are made around the theme of the minstrel around the 1880s, executed in bronze from this period, most likely in the PANDIANI foundry, of which Antonio is also the leader.

Comments: This is a particularly high-quality and very neat cast by A Pandiani which does not bear any signature, stamp or foundry stamp, which is unusual in view of edition of the sculptor's bronzes, usually stamped 'A. PANDIANI MILANO' with sometimes a date.

Could this be the artist's model, or a model chef? In any case, a particularly careful cast (perhaps the sculptor's most accomplished because we observe slight variations for each comparable to this bust on the Art market).

Other elements of analysis, such as the fact that the bust is not signed, that it is of better quality of execution than comparable copies on the market and dimensions very slightly larger, and that it presents an unusual assembly (visible screws) allowing the dismantling of the sculpture (perhaps for taking impressions to edit variants in particular), direct us towards one of these two hypotheses.