Venus with a Shell

Artist Francesco Fanelli (Italian, active 1608 - 1661)

Place of OriginEngland

Date17th century

DimensionsH: 18 1/8 in. (46.3 cm)

MediumBronze

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1975.2

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 23

Label TextLikely born in Florence before working in Genoa, Francesco Fanelli was known for his sculpture in carved ivory as well as in cast metal. He subsequently moved to England, where he was known as “Francisco the one-eyed Italian,” and seems to have worked as sculptor to King Charles I, from whom he received a pension in 1635. This elegant sculpture of the nude goddess Venus holding a shell is of the intimate size that was often displayed on a table and meant to be held and examined by the owner.Published ReferencesPeltzer, R.A., "Johann Gregor v. d. Schardt (Jan de Zar) aus Nymwegen, ein Bildhauer der Spatrenaissance," Munchner Jahrbuch Der Bildenden Kunst, X, 1916/1918, p. 198 ff.

Valentiner, W. R., "A Neglected Sculptor in the Mannerist Exhibition at Amsterdam," The Art Quarterly, vol. 19, 1956, p. 41 ff.

Moller, L., in Heydenreich-Festschrift, Munich 1964, p. 191 ff.

Leeuwenberg, J., "Een Van der Schardt voor het Rijksmuseum," Bulletin Van Het Rijksmuseum, 1957, no. 1, pp. 14-19.

Himmelheber, I., "Eine Kleinbronze von Johann Gregor van der Schardt," Jahrbuch der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen in Baden-Wurttemburg, I, 1964, pp. 164-172.

Weihrauch, H. R., Europaische Bronzestatuetten, Braunschweig, 1967, cf. figs. 394 (Venus, cupid and a dolphin, Naples), 421 (Amsterdam), and p. 348.

von der Osten, G., and H. Vey, Painting and Sculpture in Germany and The Netherlands 1500 to 1600, Harmondsworth, 1969, p. 286.