Description

Late C19th Italian Neapolitan bronze bust study of Seneca , after the antique , known as the "Pseudo Seneca".
Arresting bronze study known as the "Psuedo Seneca" , after the Roman 1st century BCE original , having been excavated at ill-fated Herculaneum from the site of the Villa of the Papyri in 1754. The Papyrus Villa belonged to Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus , father-in-law of Julius Caesar , and was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 .
Originally thought to depict Seneca the Younger , Lucius Annaeus Seneca , the notable Roman philosopher, because it was assumed the bust's emancipated features were supposed to reflect his Stoic philosophy . However latterly ,scholars now believe it to be a fictitious portrait , either Hesiod or Aristophanes.
The head study displays a remarkable quality of workmanship with the casting of the accentuated wrinkles and folds of the face and forehead of the man . The intentionally unruly locks of his hair and wrinkly neck contrast openly with the unwavering , penetrating gaze .
Almost certainly a bronze cast in Naples and probably by the Chiurazzi Foundry , who were licensed to produce high-quality bronze copies such as this ,from the antique originals . The original bust now conserved and exhibited in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale , Naples Italy.
Evocative and authentic verdigris 'faux' excavation patination as the original , with some areas of brighter green verdigris showing , particularly evident on the shoulder. The eyes with fragmented white inlays (possibly slips of alabaster) , also as portrayed in the antique original .
Mounted on a shaped and turned figured pale yellow Siena marble socle with some evidence of verdigris staining from probably having been sited with minor exposure to the weather elements at some period . Fixed to the socle with the original bolts , supported at the rear by an integrally-cast open strut .
A striking visual composition and a faithfully cast copy of the antique original.
(* an identical copy of this bust sold Christies , London , 13/07/2016 "The Claudio Bravo Collection" Sale No. 12938 Lot No. 124. �4375 )
H 18"
W 9"
D 9"
Italy , Naples c.1880
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Internal Ref: ML 1611