Grand Tour Patinated Bronze of Michelangelo's David

A rare Italian, Grand Tour patinated library bronze of Michelangelo's famous sculpture of David. What makes this version interesting and rare is the totally original, typically Neapolitan, style base, I have not seen another like this in 30 years of collecting. Possibly Florentine but probably Neapolitan. The original can now be seen in the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze

Signed to the reverse 'Louis Fagan'. Louis Alexander Fagan was an Anglo Italian writer and academic. Born in Naples he moved to London where he worked in the  Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum from 1869 to 1894. He wrote numerous works on the British Museum collections including ’The Art of Michael’Angelo Buonarroti’ which included illustrations by him, he was a gifted draughtsman and artist. His portrait was painted by John Singer Sargent. Michelangelo's David was not as appreciated during the 19th Century as it is today, Victorian sensibilities did not favour it. Consequently very few copies of it exist from this period and It is entirely possible that this bronze of David was either commissioned by Louis Fagan as an academic model for his own collection or created by him. Fagan died in Florence in 1903. Good example, late 19th Century.

H34cm x W12.5cm x D12.5cm
H13 1/4" x W4 1/8"" x D4 1/8"

SOLD

RESERVED