Bust of a Classical Hero or Emperor
Girolamo della Robbia (Italian, 1488–1566)
early to mid 16th century
Medium
glazed terracotta
Dimensions
37.5 × 37.5 × 21 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
2013.31
Tags
male
About this artwork
This bust most likely represents an emperor or condottiere from classical antiquity, and probably formed part of a series of classical heads. Such groups of worthies were featured as decorative schemes in the studioli and architectural projects of Renaissance statesmen. Attesting to the sophistication of their learned patrons, these busts also provided the opportunity for artists to explore the contemporary stylistic relevance of classical portraiture—a source of fascination and inspiration for ...