Door Knocker with Nereid, Triton, and Putti
c. 1550
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall: 35.6 x 28.8 x 8.5 cm (14 x 11 5/16 x 3 3/8 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund
Accession Number
1979.10.1
Art Historical Context
This elegant bronze door knocker, created around 1550 by the renowned Renaissance sculptor Jacopo Sansovino, transforms a utilitarian object into a work of art. Sansovino, celebrated for his contributions to Venetian sculpture and architecture, masterfully employed bronze casting to achieve remarkable detail and durability. The piece measuring just over 14 inches in height, features dynamic figures drawn from classical mythology, including a graceful Nereid, the sea god Triton, and playful putti, evoking the lively marine themes popular during the period. The composition reflects the Renaissa...