A Renaissance bronze collection donated to the National Gallery in Washington

4/6/08 — Acquisitions — Washington, National Gallery of Art — From 27 January to 4 May of this year, this American museum exhibited the Renaissance bronze collection belonging to Robert H. Smith. A businessman, he is president of the Charles E. Smith Company, and has been a patron for many long years of the National Gallery to whom he has already donated several drawings (notably by Boucher, Canaletto, Gainsborough, G. D. Tiepolo, Picasso..).

This remarkable ensemble of bronze pieces has just been revealed as being a promised gift to the National Gallery. The donation includes no less than 67 works, plus three statuettes of boxwood and three others of ivory, which will all enrich the museum holdings. The collection had already been displayed in 2002, and has grown since then with the addition of eleven bronzes which were recently published in a short work published by the Burlington Magazine (Collective work, Recent Acquisitions Made to the Robert H. Smith Collection of Renaissance Bronzes, 2007).

Following, we provide an alphabetical listing by author, with no entries, of the works displayed, accompanied by numerous illustrations (the donation includes about ten other works, not quoted here).

1. Pier Jacopo Alari-Bonacolsi,
called Antico (c. 1460-1528)
Seated Nymph, 1503
Bronze partially gilded - H. 19 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Pier Jacopo Alari-Bonacolsi, called Antico (c. 1460-1528), Seated Nymph (ill. 1).

2. Tiziano Aspetti (1557/1559-1606)
Prometheus, c. 1600
Bronze - H. 74.5 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Tiziano Aspetti (1557/1559-1606), Prometheus (ill. 2)

3. Tiziano Aspetti (1557/1559-1606)
Apollo with his Lyre, c. 1595
Bronze - H. 33.5 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Tiziano Aspetti (1557/1559-1606), Apollo with his Lyre (ill. 3).

4. Baccio Bandinelli (1488/1493-1560)
Neptun, c. 1560
Bronze - H. 49 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Baccio Bandinelli (1488/1493-1560), Neptun (ill. 4).

5. Giambologna (1529-1608)
Birdcatcher
Bronze - H. 28.5 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Giambologna (1529-1608), Birdcatcher (ill. 5).

 From a model by Giambologna (1529-1608), Hercules and Lichas, first half 17th Century (bronze, 34.9 cm).

6. Francesco Fanelli (active 1608 - 1665)
Saint George and the dragon, c. 1632-1639
Bronze - H. 19.6 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Francesco Fanelli (active 1608 - 1665), Saint George and the Dragon (ill. 6).

7. Pietro Francavilla (1546/1547-1615)
Saturn Devouring one of his Sons
Perhaps cast c. 1615 in Paris made in Florence or Genoa c. 1585
Bronze - H. 47.9 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Petro Francavilla (1546/1547-1615), Saturn Devouring one of his Sons (ill. 7).

 Hubert Gerhard (1540/1550-1620), Neptun with a Dolphin, c. 1585 (bronze ; not illustrated).

8. Leonhard Kern (1588-1662)
Old Woman Seated Holding a Bag of Gold (Avarice), 1635
Boxwood - H. 23.3 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Leonhard Kern (1588-1662), Old Woman Seated Holding a Bag of Gold (Avarice) (ill. 8)

9. Leonhard Kern (1588-1662)
Diana with Her Hounds
Ivory - H. 22.9 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Leonhard Kern (1588-1662), Diana with Her Hounds (ill. 9).

10. Leonhard Kern (1588-1662)
The Money Counter, 1630-1650
Bronze - H. 22.1 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo : National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Leonhard Kern (1588-1662), The Money Counter (ill. 10).

11. Leonhard Kern (1588-1662)
Bowler, 1617-1620
Boxwood - H. 30.2 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Leonhard Kern (1588-1662), Bowler (ill. 11)

 Leonhard Kern (1588-1662), Kneeling Youth with Bound Hands (Isaac or Slave), 1614-1620 (bronze, 25 cm; not illilustrated.)

 Leonhard Kern (1588-1662), Young Woman Seated Braiding Her Hair (Vanity), 1635 (boxwood, 23 cm; not illustrated.)

 Leonhard Kern (1588-1662), Woman Holding a Vase (Psyche ?), 1640 (boxwood, 14 cm; not illustrated).

 Gerad van Opstal (c. 1605-1668), Bacchanalian Frieze (ivory, 11.4 x 30 x 2.5 cm ; not illustrated).

12. Barthélémy Prieur (1540-1611)
Pacing Stallion, c. 1600
Bronze - 14.8 x 9.9 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Barthélémy Prieur (1540-1611), Pacing Stallion (ill. 12).

 Barthélémy Prieur (1540-1611), Seated Woman Pulling a Thorn from Her Heel, c. 1600 (bronze, 13.6 cm; not illustrated).

 Barthélémy Prieur (1540-1611), Lion devouring a Doe, c. 1600 (bronze, 15.3 x 35.3 cm; not illustrated).

13. Artus Quellinus the Elder (1609-1688)
Omphale Seated, c. 1650
Ivory - 12 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Artus Quellinus le Vieux (1609-1688), Omphale Seated (ill. 13).

14. Follower of Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (1470-1532)
Oil Lamp in the Form of a Female Sphinx,
first quarter of the 16th Century
Bronze - 12.5 x 14.5 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Follower of Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (1470-1532), Oil Lamp in the Form of a Female Sphinx (ill. 14).

15. Follower of Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (1470-1532)
Seated Satyr Holding a Candlestick and Inkwell,
c. 1530-1540
Bronze - 21.7 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Follower of Andrea Briosco, called Riccio (1470-1532), Seated Satyr Holding a Candlestick and Inkwell (ill. 15).

16. Nicolò Roccatagliata (active 1593/1633)
Astronomy, 1590-1600
Bronze - 23.1 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Nicolò Roccatagliata (active 1593/1633), Astronomy (ill. 16).

17. Nicolò Roccatagliata (active 1593/1633)
Music, 1590-1600
Bronze - 23 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Nicolò Roccatagliata (active 1593/1633), Music (ill. 17).

18. Nicolò Roccatagliata (active 1593/1633)
Poetry, 1590-1600
Bronze - 22.6 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo : National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Nicolò Roccatagliata (active 1593/1633), Poetry (ill. 18).

 Angelo de Rubeis (probably Angelo de Rossi, active early 17th Century), Hercules with the Hydra (bronze, 35 cm; not illustrated).

 Johann Gregor van der Schardt (1530-c 1581), Minerva, c. 1570-1576 (bronze, 52.9 cm; not illustrated).

 Johann Gregor van der Schardt (1530-c. 1581), Black Venus, second half 16th Century (bronze, 30.5 cm; not illustrated).

19. Francesco Segala (active 1558/1592)
Hercules, c 1565
Bronze - 67 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Francesco Segala (active 1558/1592), Hercules (ill. 19).

20. Severo da Ravenna (active 1496-1525/1538)
Rearing Stallion, c. 1500/1510
Bronze - 20 x 24 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Severo da Ravenna (active 1496-1525/1538), Rearing Stallion (ill. 20).

21. Antonio Susini (active1572-1624),
after a model by Giambologna
Sleeping Nymph with Satyre, c. 1600
Bronze - 21.6 x 34.9 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624), after a model by Giambologna, Sleeping Nymph with Satyr (ill. 21).

22. Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624),
after a model by Giambologna
Venus Drying Herself (Cesarini Venus), c. 1600
Bronze - 33.5 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624), after a model by Giambologna, Venus Drying Herself (Cesarini Venus) (ill. 22).

23. Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624),
after a model by Giambologna
Lion Attacking a Stallion, c. 1600
Bronze - 26.1 x 45.3 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624), after a model by Giambologna, Lion Attacking a Stallion (ill. 23).

24. Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624),
after a model by Giambologna
Crouching Bather, c. 1600
Bronze - 24.9 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624), after a model by Giambologna, Bather (ill. 24).

 Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624), Nessus and Dejanira, c. 1600 (bronze, 30.6 x 29 cm; not illustrated).

 Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624)), Rearing Stallion, vers 1600 (bronze, 43.5 cm; not illustrated).

 Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624), Bull, c. 1600 (bronze, 23.4 cm; not illustrated).

25. Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-c. 1653)
after a model by Giambologna
Mars, second quarter seventeenth Century
Bronze - 39.3 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-c. 1653), after a model by Giambologna, Mars (ill. 25).

26. Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-c. 1653)
David with the Head of Goliath , c. 1625-1630
Bronze - 29.9 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-c. 1653), David with the Head of Goliath (ill. 26).

27. Giovanni Francesco Susini Venus and Adonis, c. 1620-1630
Bronze - 38.1 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-c. 1653), Venus and Adonis (ill. 27).

 Giovanni Francesco Susini (1585-vc. 1653), Hercules Farnese, second half 17th Century (bronze, 31.3 cm; not illustrated).

28. Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686) probably after a model by Pietro Tacca
Hercules Supporting the Heavens, c. 1640-1650
Bronze - 89 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo : National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686) probably after a model by Pietro Tacca, Hercules Supporting the Heavens (ill. 28).

 Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686), Horseman Killing a Bull, c. 1650 (bronze, 34 cm; not illustrated).

 Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686), Rearing Stallion, c. 1650 (bronze, 21.5 x 24 cm; not illustrated).

 Attributed to Pietro Tacca (1577-1640), Tarquin and Lucrecia, c. 1640 (bronze, 40.4 cm; not illustrated).

29. Willem Danielsz van Tetrode
(active second half 16th century)
Theseus Slaying the Centaur Bienor (or Hercules Slaying the Centaur Eurytion, c. 1573
Bronze - 47.5 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Willem Danielsz van Tetrode (active second half 16th century), Theseus Slaying the Centaur Bienor (or Hercules Slaying the Centaur Eurytion) (ill. 29).

 Willem Danielsz van Tetrode (active second half 16th century), Hercules Pomarius (bronze, 38.8 cm; not illustrated).

30. Alessandro Vittoria (1525-1608)
Minerva, c. 1560
Bronze - 66.4 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (promised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 Alessandro Vittoria (1525-1608), Minerva (ill. 30).

30. After a model by Adrian de Vries (1556-1626)
The Rape of a Sabine, c. 1650
Bronze - 46 cm
Washington, National Gallery of Art (pomised gift)
Photo: National Gallery of Art (press office)

 After a model by Adrian de Vries (1556-1626), The Rape of a Sabine (ill. 31).

 Florentine, aftr the antique, Arrotino, second quarter 17th century (bronze, 33.5 cm ; not illustrated).

 Paduan, Pricket Candlestick, second quarter 16th century (bronze, 28.9 cm ; not illustrated).

 Italian, Oil Lamp in the Form of a Winged Monster (bronze, 24.1 cm; not illustrated)

 North Italian, Oil Lamp in the Form of a Monster (bronze, 12 x 15.4 cm; not illustrated).

 Probably South Netherlandish or German (Nuremberg), A Pair of Dinanderies Eagles, 16th century (brass, 28 cm ; not illustrated).

 Unknown Artist, Pedestal (wood, size not precised; not illustrated).

 Unknown Artist, Pedestal (marble, size not precised; not illustrated).